2024 NBA Playoffs - East 1st Round: #3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #6 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 3-1)

[GeorgeSears]

Bucks should thank their lucky stars they avoid the Sixers. As bad as they looked, with or without Giannis, this is a much more winnable matchup for them.

[Larry_Russell]

No point of attack defender on bucks.
Indiana runs 100% from the point of attack.

I dont see Milwaukee winning this series.

[Mk0]

No point of attack defender on bucks.
Indiana runs 100% from the point of attack.

I dont see Milwaukee winning this series.

Milwaukee needed to trade for a defensive guard at the deadline but I don't think they had any assets. So now they are relying on PatBev.

Losing Mathurin is a big deal, he was great for the Pacers. And Hield was great for stretching the floor. I haven't seen much of them in the last month, but I still take Indy in this one. Bucks look mediocre most nights and Doc's playoff coaching is.. well Doc. So unless Giannis has 15 FTs a game and all of Indy's bigs are in foul trouble idk what their plan is. Hope for Dame to buy them a game?

[zeebneeb]

Bucks have looked very, very mortal this season, but I have zero faith in Indiana and halihardens defense.

Which ever team actually plays some defense, wins the series.

[nbafan38]

More competitive than people think. Bucks don't impress me. Think this is a long series. I went Bucks in 7 but wouldn't be shocked if the pacers won.

[Dubnation]

Bucks in 7

[Nuntius]

This is all going to depend on Giannis' health, imo.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

This is all going to depend on Giannis' health, imo.

Basically comes down to that.

Curious how the pacers do against physical playoff defense. I know they have let them play the second half, but a little different when teams are trying 100% and have rest days in between.

Someone mentioned Giannis going off on them because of the rivalry. We thought the same thing but had a meh performance in the ball gate rematch.

[MickeyDavis]

I don't think there is a chance Giannis comes back before game 3 at the earliest so Pacers in 6

Based on your medical degree and observing his rehab personally?

[Nuntius]

This is all going to depend on Giannis' health, imo.

Basically comes down to that.

Curious how the pacers do against physical playoff defense. I know they have let them play the second half, but a little different when teams are trying 100% and have rest days in between.

Someone mentioned Giannis going off on them because of the rivalry. We thought the same thing but had a meh performance in the ball gate rematch.

It's not just about the physicality of a playoff defense. The Pacers have handled the physicality of the later part of the season fine and they have physicality of their own (Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, Turner et cetera).

The most important thing that happens in the playoffs is the ability to specifically gameplan against your opponent. You can really focus down on their tendencies, weaknesses and find ways to make them uncomfortable. You cannot really do that in the RS all that well. But during the playoffs, you have to do that.

That's where the coaching staff and its ability to pinpoint weaknesses and exploit them can really shine.

[canada_dry]

Everyone's talking about giannis' health...
What about haliburtons health?

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[AussieBuck]

Feels like a 7 game scrap

[basketballRob]

I forgot about the bad blood over the game ball when Giannis scored over 60.

Indianapolis is only 273 miles from Milwaukee.

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[Nuntius]

Everyone's talking about giannis' health...
What about haliburtons health?

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Hali is not 100% back to his earlier season standards but there's no doubt that he'll play every single match. He played every single game from game #48 to game #82. That's 34 straight-games. Yes, he was in minutes restriction for the first 6-7 games and his numbers have taken enough of a dip from earlier in the season to believe that there's probably still some hang-up there (possibly trying to make sure that he doesn't make risky plays that could injure him again) so, sure, it won't be the same Haliburton that the Bucks faced back in January but he's playing.

[ajones9219]

I don't think there is a chance Giannis comes back before game 3 at the earliest so Pacers in 6

Based on your medical degree and observing his rehab personally?

Just based on previous NBA player similar injuries and my own experience with lower leg injuries...of which I unfortunately have a lot of experience

[Residual-Heat]

I think Bucks win this if Giannis can come back and play atleast a couple of games.

[dygaction]

Isn't Doc considered a savior 10 games back and now you guys show utterly disrespect... That aside, can the Bucks afford to fire him if they lose the first ruond?

[Scoundreldays]

Pacers in 7 with a blown 3-1 lead

[SOUL]

Bucks in 6 if Giannis is relatively healthy, Pacers in 6-7 if not.

I know Pacers handled them pretty easily in the regular season, but I think Milwaukee will be determined not to have a 1st round exit again. We'll see if Doc drags them down regardless lol

[RB34]

This is going to be really fun. Cannot wait.