By strict definition, “Dame Time” usually refers to end-of-game clutch situations.

But “Dame Time” started early in Game 1 of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round series with the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Fiserv Forum.

Damian Lillard scored 19 points in the first quarter to set the tone and finished with 35 – all in the first half – as the Bucks rolled to a 109-94 victory.

It was the kind of performance that Milwaukee needed from the superstar guard they traded for just before training camp, especially with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo out with a calf injury.

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"I felt great," Lillard said. "I knew coming in that they were going to give me a lot of attention.

"Other times when we played them, I remember them face-guarding me on the inbounds. Just trying to turn me a few times on the inbounds. I didn't want to fight it too much early. I was patient. Just got the catches on the other side of halfcourt a lot of times and just tried to play with pace.

"If they were going to pick up that high up the court, I wanted to just get my pace up and attack. I was able to get into a rhythm and I know I got to be aggressive."

Lillard's 35 points are the most by a Bucks player in a half of a playoff game.

Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton pitch in

Lillard sat for the first five minutes of the second quarter.

That allowed Bobby Portis time to take over. He scored six straight points to help the Bucks pull ahead to a 38-23 advantage.

BOX SCORE: Bucks 109, Pacers 94

Portis finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth playoff double-double. He was named one of three finalists for the NBA's sixth man of the year earlier on Sunday after averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

"It's the playoffs, bro," Portis said. "People keep talking about 82 games. That's over with now. It's the playoffs.

"Guys are putting in a little more effort. A little more attention to detail, smaller things."

Lillard came back in and picked up right where he left off, scoring 16 points in the second quarter, including several deep three-pointers. The Bucks led by 30 points and went into the locker room with a 69-42 lead.

"He carried us," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. "He was unbelievable.

"I thought he had played under control. Very aggressive, which was they way we wanted him."

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Middleton took on the lead role in the third quarter, scoring eight points. He added seven in the fourth to finish with 23 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth career playoff game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

"Just being a basketball player," Middleton said. "I think that's what I try to do when I'm out there, especially this season. Just do whatever is needed. Simple as that, really."

Bucks survive brief scare in the second half from Pacers

Indiana shot 3 for 18 on three-pointers in the first half.

But Aaron Nesmith knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to start the third quarter.

Then the Pacers started chipping away at the Bucks’ lead, getting within 83-71 heading into the fourth quarter.

Middleton hit a three to start the fourth, then the Bucks got the advantage up to 97-77 with 8:54 remaining after back-to-back triples from Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley.

Milwaukee cruised from there.

"When Dame's off the floor, it's Khris and Bobby," Rivers said. "It was more Khris.

"Bobby had a stretch. But Khris in the second half, to me, saved us."

Game 2 is on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum.

Five numbers

3 Times the Bucks and Pacers have met in the playoffs, after also meeting in the first round in 1999 and 2000

6 Straight seasons the Bucks have been a top 3 seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs

13 Indiana missed its first 13 three-point attempts before making one

105 Brook Lopez tied Giannis Antetokounmpo for first on the franchise’s all-time playoff blocks list with 105

23 and 10 Khris Middleton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for his first playoff double-double since Game 5 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Atlanta

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Damian Lillard helps Bucks win Game 1 over Pacers with Giannis injured