No Giannis? No problem for the Bucks! The Wisconsin franchise was able to count on a Damian Lillard irresistible in the first half and choice lieutenants to compensate, from Khris Middleton to Bobby Portis via Pat Beverley, Malik Beasley and Brook Lopez.
To compensate for the absence of their leader, the Bucks tried to start strong in order to quickly get the fans on their side and distance Indiana as best as possible. The operation was a great success, with Damian Lillard a scoring machine in the first quarter to bring down the Pacers. Author of 19 points in 12 minutes, the leader allowed his team to complete the first act with a 9-2 also fueled by Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton (30-21).
Bobby Portis unleashed
Rick Carlisle's men were not at the end of their troubles, particularly from the start of the second quarter facing the aggressiveness of an untenable Bobby Portis, made for this type of event. The interior made four baskets including a dunk and an alley-oop to launch a scathing 14-2 and relegate Indiana to 21 points (44-23).
It was at this moment that Damian Lillard returned to the floor to drive home the point, including three 3-point baskets scored with full confidence, even from a very long distance, before adding a lay-up and a 3+1! The leader's show of strength was enough to impress, in addition to allowing the locals to distance themselves from their evening opponents at the break (69-42).
Indiana came back with a different face and did what was necessary to get back on the right path, notably with the Siakam-Turner pair to bring the Pacers back below the 20 point gap (77-58). Khris Middleton repelled the advances of Tyrese Haliburton and his teammates by scoring three baskets in a row, but it was Indiana who managed to put the pressure back on by ending the third act with a 9-0 with a basket from TJ McConnell at the last second to restart the match (83-71).
Milwaukee regained its senses in four stages from the start of the fourth quarter, between Khris Middleton's 3-pointer, the 2+1 snatched by Bobby Portis, then the arrows of Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley from the corner to pass the Bucks at +20 (97-77). The 3-pointers of the Siakam-Turner pair and Andrew Nembhard's 2+1 were undermined by the arrows of Malik Beasley then Pat Beverley, and the Bucks ended up securing the victory (109-94).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Giannis Antetokounmpo too fair. Still injured in the calf, the “Greek Freak” was finally declared forfeit for Game 1. Hope remained until the day of the match, but Doc Rivers and the medical staff had to face the facts. “Giannis did a lot of work. He's shooting, he's running again, he looks in good shape, but he hasn't been able to participate (in training).”, said the coach before the meeting. The Bucks could not communicate precisely on a possible return timetable. Each victory between now and then will give them a little more time to work in peace.
– Damian Lillard ensures. The leader declared this weekend that he was measuring the opportunity presented to him for his first playoffs with Milwaukee and the opportunity to have a good run in the post-season. “Dame Time” was present for the Bucks' entry into contention since he dominated the first half thanks to an insolent address. Author of 19 of the 30 points scored by his team in the first quarter, he then multiplied the brilliant shots to raise the Fiserv Forum and give his team up to 30 points in advance before the break, ending at 35 points at 11/19 on shooting. It's quite simply the best first half of his career. Even if he was less visible after the break (0 points), he accomplished what was expected of him by putting Milwaukee on his shoulders from the start, in a context that was not easy to manage in the absence of Giannis. Antetokounmpo.
– The reaction of the Pacers. Even though the sky fell on their heads in the first half with up to 30 points behind, the Pacers were able to come out of this first round with their heads held high having returned to -12 at the end of the third quarter. and after giving everything until the end. The result is not up to par but the honor is safe. Indiana was notably able to count on a particularly inspired Pascal Siakam with his 36 points on 15/24 shooting and 14 rebounds. To see if he will have the same impact when he has to stuff a Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
