Defense can win NBA championships, but it probably won’t be much on display in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Indiana (47-35) has the league’s best offense at 123.3 points per game and the Bucks (49-33) aren’t far behind, ranking fourth at 119 points per game. If betting is your passion, don’t expect to get much less with these two teams.
Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status is critical to the Bucks’ chances. The Bucks star has been out of action since Tuesday evening after straining his left calf.
Here are some things to know about the series:
Likely Milwaukee Bucks starters
G Damian Lillard, 24.4 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists G Patrick Beverly 6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg F Khris Middleton 15.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg , 5.3 apg F Bobby Portis 13.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.3 apg (if Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with injury)C Brook Lopez 12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
Likely Indiana Pacers starters
G Tyrese Haliburton, 20.3 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, 10.9 assists G Andrew Nembhard, 9.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4.1 apgF Pascal Siakam, 21.1 ppg, 7 .8 rpg, 3.8 aptF Aaron Nesmith, 12.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apgC Myles Turner, 16.9 ppg, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 apg
The Bucks are just 1-4 against the Pacers in the regular season
This is probably the game most Bucks fans didn’t want to see in the first round, but maybe the game against Indiana will provide a little more juice for the Bucks players. This is certainly a revenge streak for Milwaukee as the Bucks have lost four of five games. against their Central Division rival, including an ugly defeat in the NBA tournament during the season.
November 9: Indiana 126, Milwaukee 124. Despite Antetokounmpo’s 54 points, Haliburton led the Pacers to victory with 29 points and 10 assists.
December 7: Indiana 128, Milwaukee 119. The Bucks fall to the Pacers in the semi-finals of the first NBA tournament of the season. Milwaukee gave up 23 second chance points, including 15 on offensive rebounds. After the game, Portis was reportedly angry with former Bucks coach Adrian Griffin over how the offense played in the fourth quarter.
December 13: Milwaukee 140, Indiana 126 — After the first two losses to the Pacers, Giannis said he “maybe should shake things up” and apparently he wasn’t kidding. He scored a franchise record 64 points. There were plenty of fireworks after the game as well as Giannis and his brother Thanasis rushed down the tunnel after the game towards the Pacers locker room in search of the game ball.
January 1: Indiana 122, Milwaukee 113. The Pacers recovered from a pair of 15-point deficits and snapped the Bucks’ 15-game home winning streak despite a triple-double from Giannis.
January 3: Indiana 142, Milwaukee 130. The Pacers continued to score at will against the Bucks with their highest point total in five games. Middleton plays with a wrist injury, but the Pacers score 47 points in the third quarter. The Pacers averaged 128.8 points in the five games against Milwaukee.
What injury kept Giannis Antetokounmpo from playing for the Bucks?
Antetokounmpo has a left soleus strain. No timetable has been set for his return. The team said he would “receive daily treatment and evaluation.”
If Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t play the first game of the series, who will start in his place?
Bobby Portis started in place of Giannis. He averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in those three games, including a 30-point, nine-rebound, five-steal effort Wednesday night against the Magic at Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has dominated the Pacers this season
The Pacers had their way with the Bucks, but Antetokounmpo was unstoppable, averaging 42.2 points and 13 rebounds in the five games (including games of 64 and 52 points).
Damian Lillard hasn’t played well against the Pacers this season
Lillard struggled from the field against Indiana, making just 32 percent of his shots in four games. He averages 20.2 points per game but makes only 26.4% of his 3-point attempts (9 of 34).
Who is the best player on the Indiana Pacers?
Tyrese Haliburton
Is Tyrese Haliburton from Wisconsin?
Yes, Haliburton is originally from Oshkosh and attended Oshkosh North High School.
Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers playoff history
Surprisingly, the Central Division rivals have only met twice in the postseason. The Pacers won both series in 1999 and 2000.
Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers Series Odds
Despite Giannis’ uncertain status and a 1-4 record against the Pacers this season, the Bucks opened at -350 to win the series. The Pacers are +265.
Bucks-Pacers TV schedule
The Bucks will play four games out of a possible seven games at home and the series will begin on Sunday, April 21. Schedules and TV channels have not yet been announced.