Lillard’s unusual night in Bucks’ win includes 35 points in first half and 0 in second half

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard couldn’t be stopped in the first half — and couldn’t score a point in the second. It all added up to one of the most unusual dominant performances in recent playoff history. Lillard scored all 35 of his points before halftime in the Bucks’& 109-94 victory& over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to open their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Lillard set a Bucks record for points in either half of a postseason game. “Games are hard enough,” Lillard said. “So you don’t want to come out slow and wait. You want to have your pace, you want to be sharp and be connected and be aggressive. So that was my mentality.” With two-time MVP& Giannis Antetokounmpo& on the bench nursing a strained left calf, the Bucks turned to Lillard early and often. Lillard had 19 points in the first quarter alone. He produced the highest& individual first-half total& in a playoff game since Kevin Durant had 38 at the break for the Golden State Warriors in a& 2019 first-round game& with the Los Angeles Clippers. Durant finished that game with 50 points. Lillard got no more the rest of the night. Since the play-by-play...