Previewing the 4 known NBA playoff matchups, including the Nuggets 2nd rd opponents
By Ben Handler
3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Indiana Pacers
Now this is just an incredible first-round matchup to get. These teams had a heated rivalry forming early in the season as the Pacers took four of five games from the Bucks. They also knocked Milwaukee out of the In-Season Tournament, and the teams clashed in the infamous scuffle over the game ball in the one game the Bucks pulled out.
We also had Tyrese Haliburton busting out the Dame-Time celebration right in front of Lillard at the end of a game. Add to that, Bucks sniper Malik Beasley went on Chris Haynes’ podcast early in the season and called out the Pacers, stating that they would see them in the playoffs and it wound’t end well for the Pacers.
There’s plenty of juicy intrigue in this one and that’s before we even get into the matchup on the court. But a bit of shine was taken off as news came out that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to be ready for the start of this series.
That’s obviously a huge blow as the Bucks will struggle on both ends without their best player. They are already overmatched in speed and athleticism but the fast-paced Pacers, but now that will even be amplified.
I think this was a bad matchup to begin with, but without Giannis, I think the Bucks may get exposed on both ends. Dame is going to need to channel his prime days in Portland to keep the Bucks afloat here. Unless Giannis can come back sooner than expected his team is in trouble.