Ersan Ilyasova stars as Milwaukee Bucks hold off Indiana Pacers in NBA
Last Updated: 27/03/15 10:58am
Milwaukee produced a scintillating first period to lay the foundations for a 111-107 victory over Indiana in Wisconsin.
The hosts opened up a 34-15 lead after 12 minutes and, despite being out-scored in the three subsequent periods, had done enough to hold on for a slender four-point triumph.
Ersan Ilyasova posted a career-high 34 points – 17 of these in the opening quarter – for the Bucks who won consecutive matches for the first time in more than a month.
Ilyasova, who connected with five three-pointers, made 12 of 14 shots from the field and also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Beaten coach Frank Vogel said: "No excuse. We played six straight teams with back-to-backs. Some of them came in with a lot of energy.
“I thought we played with energy but we just weren't very good early."
The Bucks are back to 50% for the season, while the Pacers – for whom CJ Miles top-scored with 26 points – are well off the pace at 43%.
No other NBA matches were played on Thursday.
