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As we find ourselves … a year after giving ourselves the reply in six games, the Pacers and Bucks Facked again in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Last season, it is Indiana who had come out by being imperial at home, while Milwaukee Played without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This season, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be present, but it is Damian Lillard who could miss the call. Opposite, all the basic men of rotation are available, while these are the teammates of Tyrese Haliburton which have the advantage of the field. A difference compared to 2024 and a first for them since… 2014. When they had already completed a season at more than 50 victories.
The rivalry between the Pacers and the Bucks in any case risks crossing a course and, on paper, this duel looks like a series which will decide at Game 7, given how the two teams have been close for two years: 9 victories for Indiana and 6 for Milwaukee.
Presentation of pacers
Holder : T. Haliburton, A. Nembhard, A. Nesmith, P. You, M. Turner
Replacement : B. Mathurin, O. Toppin, T. McConnell, T. Bryant, B. Sheppard, Jar. Walker, Jam. Johnson, T. Bradley, J. Furphy…
Absent : I. Jackson
Coach : R. Carlisle
As Tyrese Haliburton restored the machine on the way after the All-Star Break and this group is used to playing together, the Pacers have signed a second part of the canon season: 20V-9D after the break, and even 34-14 since January 1. Suffice to say that the men of Rick Carlisle have everything in the hairy in the Eastern Conference, while they are one of the seven teams to display a positive assessment against those at 50% of victories or more.
Five starting, replacement bench, coaching-staff, dynamic and advantage of the field: Indiana is clearly not to be taken lightly, with its status as a reigning conference finalist.
The strong point
– The collective. With its seven different players at least 10 points on average, Rick Carlisle has the necessary equipment to go far in the playoffs and compensate for the evenings without or the injuries of the stars, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam (besides embarrassed by his elbow recently). A force, which makes it possible to maintain some pressure throughout the match, like a steamroller, even if it will not be necessary to hesitate to reduce the rotation, so as not to limit major players to their usual playing time. It is in any case the bench which can make differences in this series, with some potential X factors.
The weak point
– The absence of a real “go-to-guy” ? This often goes hand in hand with the excellent collectives: if Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are the leaders and (all-) indisputable stars of this team, one can however wonder if they have their shoulders to lead a franchise to the end in the playoffs, since they are more similar to luxury lieutenants than to “franchise players”. The danger can come from everywhere in Indiana, and it is a very good thing, but it is also in playoffs that the differences in talent are felt and, without a renowned “go-to-guy”, the collective ceiling is sometimes lower than imagined.
Presentation of Bucks
Holder : R. Rollins, T. Prince, K. Kuzma, G. Antetokounmpo, B. Lopez
Replacement : B. Portis, K. Porter Jr, G. Trent Jr, A. Jackson Jr, P. Connaughton, J. Sims, A. Green, C. Livingston…
Absent : D. Lillard ?
Coach : D. Rivers
Even without Damian Lillard, the Bucks surf on a series of eight consecutive victories and they arrive in great shape for the Playoffs, under the impulse of a royal antetokounmpo giannis and surrounded by a Kevin Porter Jr. who is reborn at the exit of the bench, a Bobby Portis back of suspension and soldiers (Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince Trent JR…) who know their role well.
And if this group, first in great difficulty, was today cut to go far in the spring with a “Greek Freak” at the top of his art and the experience of Doc Rivers on the bench?
The strong point
– Giannis Antetokounmpo. 100% and radiating since ten games (nearly 32 points, 12 rebounds and 9 average assists, etc.), Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a lot to do to give a chance to qualify for his bucks in this series. Revanchard after missing the last playoffs and played the previous wounded, the “Greek Freak” seems to the peak of his career and his basketball, like a LeBron James 2018 before him. Brilliant on each side of the field, versatile as possible and more leader than ever, with a big playing time in perspective, he has everything to dominate in these Playoffs 2025. Clearly the fatal weapon of Milwaukee.
The weak point
– Defense on transition. If it is difficult to see who can regularly provide the support that Giannis Antetokounmpo will need to seek victories, the Bucks must above all be wary of a point in this series: their defense on fast game. It is precisely in this area that they are the most fragile against the Pacers (24.3 points conceded on counterattack during four oppositions), all the more against a team like Indiana who loves to run (17.5 points registered on counterattack This season), since the very anchored on the ground Brook Lopez, at the base of the defense of Milwaukee, cannot put his supports. Doc Rivers is aware of this and the mission will not be easy against young people and fiery pacers …
The keys to the series
– Comment Ralentir Giannis Antetokounmpo ? A real physical and athletic monster, Giannis Antetokounmpo may sign new cards against the Pacers, which he loves torturing: 30/12/8 of average this season, 42/13/5 last season (including his “Career-High” at 64 points!) And 35/13/8 two years ago … Clearly, Rick Carlisle never found the solution to contain Changed and that Damian Lillard may be absent (or diminished), everything suggests that the Greek will crush everything in its path, against this team with which he also has some history.
– With or without Damian Lillard ? It is the Great uncertainty of this first round: will the Bucks rely on Damian Lillard, their second best player, at one point in the series? Absent for a month, and his deep venous thrombosis in the right calf, the leader recovers well but he will miss Game 1.. The hope exists to see him come back from Game 2 but, with this type of injury, it is better not to take risks and it is therefore difficult to know if to take it back, even in the process of return, is possible and reasonable. Especially if it is to find yourself facing Tyrese Haliburton …
Regular season
Milwaukee 3-1
– November 22: Milwaukee – Indiana (129-117)
– December 31: Indiana – Milwaukee (112-120)
– 11 mars : Indiana – Milwaukee (115-114)
– 15 mars : Milwaukee – Indiana (126-119)
VERDICT
Indiana 4-3. From the moment when the Bucks can, unlike the Pacers, rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the three best players in the world, we would tend to give them a slight advantage, even if they will start and finish the series outside. The two teams seem quite close to each other, but the expected return of Damian Lillard could tip the scales on the side of the Bucks. The problem is that we can expect to see the “Greek Freak” multiply the boxes, but will it have enough support in the face of a more solid opposing collective? Finally, the uncertainties may be too strong for Milwaukee…
CALENDAR
Game 1 : in Indianapolis, Saturday April 19 (7 p.m.)
Game 2 : in Indianapolis, Tuesday April 22 (1 a.m., on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday)
Game 3 : In Milwaukee, Friday April 25 (2 a.m., on the night of Friday to Saturday)
Game 4 : in Milwaukee, Sunday April 27 (3:30 am, on the night of Sunday to Monday)
Game 5* : in Indianapolis, Tuesday April 29
Game 6* : In Milwaukee, Friday May 2
Game 7* : in Indianapolis, Sunday May 4
* If necessary.
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