The first game of the series will already be the sixth meeting between the Bucks and the Pacers this season. The teammates of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton crossed swords four times in the regular season, but also once in the NBA tournament.
On four occasions, Rick Carlisle's players won, but the two teams have not faced each other since January 3. And since then, a lot has changed on both sides.
In Milwaukee, Doc Rivers replaced Adrian Griffin. On the Pacers side, Pascal Siakam arrived, Buddy Hield left, and Bennedict Mathurin was injured. Not to mention that Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to miss the start of the series. Lots of uncertainties for a series that promises to be very hot.
PRESENTATION OF THE BUCKS
The holders: Damian Lillard, Pat Beverley, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bobby Portis), Brook Lopez
The replacements: Pat Connaughton, Malik Beasley, Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari
The absents : Giannis Antetokounmpo (?), AJ Green
The coach: Doc Rivers
Milwaukee didn't really finish the regular season in the best way. The Bucks have only won three of their last ten games. They also lost Giannis Antetokounmpo and 2nd place in the conference in the final week of competition. The last 15 days, they have even suffered defeats against the Wizards, Grizzlies and Raptors. The Bucks have therefore not reassured anyone, but we can wonder if they did not deliberately avoid second place so as not to cross paths with the Sixers or the Heat in the first round of the playoffs…
The strong point
– The thirst for revenge. Milwaukee had arranged to meet the Pacers after their five confrontations, often heated from November to early January. We remember that tempers were heated for a match ball. But the rivalry between the players did not stop at this ball story, and the reunion promises to be as hot as it is exciting. Clearly, the Bucks want to wash away the insult of the four defeats in the regular season. No other team has beaten the Bucks four times.
The weak point
– The form of the Bucks. Whether physical or mental, the Bucks' form is worrying, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury symbolizes the Bucks' complicated campaign. But the Greek is not the only one to have gone through the infirmary, and Kris Middleton's ankle or Damian Lillard's groin are also worrying. Not to mention that Patrick Beverley is playing with a torn ligament in his wrist. To this, we must add an overall gloominess of the group, which contrasts with the enthusiasm of the Pacers.
PRESENTATION OF THE PACERS
The holders: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
The replacements: TJ McConnell, Ben Sheppard, Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith, Doug McDermott
The absents : Bennedict Mathurin
The coach: Rick Carlisle
The Pacers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and it will also be an opportunity to see Tyrese Haliburton at this level of competition. Even if they waited until the last day to validate their ticket for the playoffs, the Pacers brought a breath of fresh air to the Eastern Conference with their very offensive basketball.
Revealed by their finalist place in the NBA tournament, the Pacers are perhaps not yet title candidates, but with the arrival of Pascal Siakam alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, they have the weapons to annoy the world . Especially teams that don't like to make too much defensive effort…
The strong point
– A fire attack. What is impressive, and pleasant, with this Pacers team is that they are capable of playing fast, and above all of playing well. With Tyrese Haliburton in charge, Indiana likes to put opposing defenses on their heels, and that has often hurt the Bucks, who have not shown a great desire to ensure defensive withdrawal this season. Even if they have made efforts since the arrival of Doc Rivers.
The weak point
– Defense. This is the major flaw of the Indianapolis franchise this season, even if the arrival of Pascal Siakam has improved the whole thing a little. The first curtain is easy to overwhelm, with a Tyrese Haliburton who can be targeted, and then the team relies too much on Myles Turner to protect the rim. In the numbers, Indiana ranks 24th out of 30 in defensive efficiency on the season, and 18th since the All-Star Break. This is the worst record of teams qualified for the playoffs. Below the circle, it is one of the teams which recovers the fewest defensive rebounds (28th) and which offers the most second chances to these opponents. It is also and above all the team which allows the most shots in its racket (56%), by a big margin. Facing a player like the “Greek Freak”, it could be a huge problem, except that if the latter is not there, or if he is diminished…
THE KEY TO THE SERIES
– Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf. With 64 and 54 points, the “Greek Freak” achieved his two best scoring performances against the Pacers this season! His striking force near the circle, the Pacers' big weak point, could hurt Indiana very badly in a series of four winning games. The problem, of course, is whether it will be delivered on time. And/or if he will have his usual impact if he is in uniform.
REGULAR SEASON
Indiana 4-1
– November 9: Pacers – Bucks (126-124)
– December 7 (In-Season Tournament): Bucks – Pacers (119-128)
– December 13: Bucks – Pacers (140-126)
– January 1: Bucks – Pacers (113-122)
– January 3: Pacers-Bucks (142-130)
VERDICT
Milwaukee 4-3. The mental state, but also physical, of the Bucks and especially of Giannis Antetokounmpo is the key to the duel. Certainly, the regular season series was dominated by the Pacers, but the playoffs are another world, and with the “Greek Freak”, Doc Rivers' players seem to have the weapons to overcome the obstacle. We should see the Bucks targeting Tyrese Haliburton, and the Pacers targeting Damian Lillard. But given what they showed without their Greek leader, the Bucks must keep their fingers crossed that they will get him back very, very quickly…
CALENDAR
Game 1: in Milwaukee, Sunday April 21 (1:00 a.m. Sunday to Monday night)
Game 2: in Milwaukee, Tuesday April 23 (2:30 a.m. Tuesday to Wednesday night)
Game 3: at Indiana, Friday April 26 (11:30 p.m.)
Game 4: at Indiana, Sunday April 28 (1:00 a.m. Sunday to Monday night)
Game 5: at Milwaukee, Tuesday April 30 (to be determined)*
Game 6: at Indiana, Thursday May 2 (to be determined)*
Game 7: at Milwaukee, Saturday May 4 (to be determined)*
(* if necessary)
