MILWAUKEE — When Doc Rivers made it official about an hour and 45 minutes before Tuesday night’s Bucks Game 5 against Indiana at Fiserv Forum that Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) would not play, the attention shifted elsewhere for the must-win game. Other Bucks players would have to come through. They did.

The Bucks responded with a resounding 115-92 victory, sending the series back to Indiana for Game 6 Thursday night. The Pacers still lead the series three games to two, but the Bucks showed they are not going to go quietly into the night without a fight. The Pacers, if they win this series, are going to have to earn it.

After the Pacers led by ten in the first quarter, Pat Beverley changed the game by being his pugnacious self. He finished with 13 points and 12 assists. That attitude spread throughout the building, sparking the Bucks and their fans.

Certainly, Beverley wasn’t alone. Several of his Bucks teammates took it to the Pacers. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 29 points apiece. Malik Beasley added 18.

The goal is to get the series back to Milwaukee for a Game 7 Saturday at Fiserv Forum. The way they played Tuesday night, don’t count the Bucks out yet.