The Milwaukee Bucks knew they let one slip through their fingers on opening night in Charlotte when they lost despite holding a 24-point lead in the third quarter.
Closing out games became a focus in practice and shootarounds, as the Bucks awaited another opportunity to hold on to a big second-half lead.
Little did they know how quickly their chance at redemption would come.
Indiana whittled Milwaukee's 17-point second-half lead down to three in the final minute Tuesday, but the Bucks held on to snap their 16-game road-losing streak with an 87-81 victory over the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Not only did the Bucks win on the road for the first time since Feb. 24 of last season, but also Milwaukee picked up its first victory in Indiana since Nov. 5, 2010.
"We thought about how we ended the Charlotte game, and that really stuck with us," Bucks guard Brandon Knight said. "We walked through all the scenarios during shootaround today, knowing that it could be a close game.
"Our coaches do a great job preparing us for every situation that we are going to see. We saw a situation of needing to close out a game, and we were prepared to handle it."
Similar to the Charlotte game, the Bucks used a big run at the start of the third quarter to build a substantial lead. Milwaukee scored the first 10 points of the second half to turn a five-point advantage into a 53-38 lead.
Knight hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the third quarter, while rookie Jabari Parker capped the run with consecutive baskets.
"The third quarter began really well for us," Parker said. "It is really important for us to get that momentum because sometimes guys are nonchalant coming off warm-ups. As long as we keep doing that, that will help us win."
Much like the Hornets, the shorthanded Pacers didn't go quietly. Indiana used an 11-0 run late in the third quarter to pull within 62-56 with 1:43 left in the third quarter.
A 19-foot jumper from Jerryd Bayless put the Bucks up 84-73 with 3:29 to play, almost a similar spot to the one Milwaukee was in on opening night in Charlotte. The Pacers had one final push in them.
In the final minute, Lavoy Allen hit Chris Copeland at the top of the key. Copeland pump-faked to get Parker in the air before drilling a 3-pointer with 42.5 seconds left to pull Indiana within 84-81.
Knight dribbled the shot clock down on the ensuing possession and used a Larry Sanders screen to hit a long two-point jumper over Pacers center Roy Hibbert to put the Bucks up 86-81 with 22.3 seconds left.
"I think we got confortable in the Charlotte game," Bayless said. "Tonight we were able to keep on going. Even though there were lapses, we kept on fighting and were able to pull out the win."
Bucks coach Jason Kidd decided to ride his reserve unit for a good portion of the fourth quarter, which meant Knight didn't check back into the game until there was 2:33 left.
Despite sitting out for most of the fourth quarter, Knight was able to ice the game with a big shot.
"It was just being ready," Knight, who led the Bucks with 23 points, said. "Everything is about being ready to help your team. I just put my trust in God and he always helps me deliver. My teammates trust me as well, so they put the ball in my hands to make a play."
Already playing without star Paul George for the entire season, Indiana has had to begin its year with starters David West and George Hill on the shelf. Regardless of the Pacers being shorthanded, the Bucks can draw a lot from Tuesday's win.
Milwaukee is focused on growing as a young team this season, and Kidd was pleased to see his group close out a road game just days after being unable to do so.
"It means a lot," Kidd said. "I know the Pacers are short-handed, but they have a lot of good players out there still. It is just a matter of building on it and not being content. We have to keep building. We have a game tomorrow and we have to focus on that.
"I understand they are banged up right now, but they have a great coach and they are going to compete," Kidd added. "For us to fight and find a way to win was big.
"Being able to learn from our mistakes as a young team shows we are going in the right direction."
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