Even though the Bucks did break through the playoff barrier last season and make the post-season for the first time since 1991, the Pacers are grizzled veterans when it comes to the playoffs and that showed at crunch time on Sunday. This team has been through a lot of trial and error through the playoffs. Experience sets in. It helps when you come down the line. Now guys are so hungry that they play on adrenaline and athleticism.
Experience does help.
Pacers guard Mark Jackson said Indiana's experience really came to the forefront after Milwaukee rallied to take a 67-62 lead with 9 minutes 57 seconds remaining. We've been there, done that. Maybe another team would have buckled after they got down by five in the fourth quarter. We just step it up. It was expected that the Pacers' vast edge in experience might give them an edge in the series.