MILWAUKEE: Struggling with early season injuries and the adjustment to a new coaching staff, Ersan Ilyasova hasn't quite been himself for the Milwaukee Bucks.
That is beginning to change, just as the Bucks reach the most critical point of their playoff push.

Ilyasova followed up a recent run of good performances with a breakthrough game, scoring a career-high 34 points in the Bucks' 111-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

Khris Middleton added 17 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 for the Bucks. They have won two straight after breaking a six-game losing streak.
Ilyasova was 12 of 14 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range.

C.J. Miles scored 26 points; Hill added 24 and C.J. Watson had 23 for the Pacers. They were without forward David West because of an allergic reaction.
Were the Pacers tired after ending a six-game losing streak in Washington on Wednesday?

Milwaukee jumped on Indiana early and led by double-digits for most of the game.

Still, the Bucks appeared to be on their way to putting the game away, only to have Michael Carter-Williams foul Watson on a 3-point attempt. Watson hit two of three free throws to cut the lead to 4 with 1:31 left.

Miles missed a 3-point attempt for Indiana, but officials gave the ball to Indiana on a review of an ensuing out of bounds play. Roy Hibbert then hit a jumper to cut the lead to 2 with 19.9 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo was fouled and hit one of two free throws, giving Indiana the ball trailing by 3 with 11.6 left. Hill then missed a frantic 3-point attempt with 1.8 seconds remaining and Jerryd Bayless hit a free throw to seal the game for Milwaukee.