The Indiana Pacers are about to satisfy a well-known foe to start the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
For the second consecutive yr, the Indiana Pacers will face the Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical of the postseason.
The Pacers, occupying the No. 4 spot of the Japanese Convention, are set for a seven-game collection towards the fifth-seeded Milwaukee group. They are going to maintain the house court docket benefit this time round.
Their matchup turned official after the Bucks picked up a 125-119 win towards the Detroit Pistons on April 11.
The Pacers and the Bucks shared an intense affair on the court docket in latest seasons. The spicy narratives between the 2 started through the 2023-24 In-Season Match Semifinals.
Hitting the Pacers’ three-point dagger to ship themselves within the tourney Finals, Tyrese Haliburton trolled Damian Lillard by mimicking his “Dame Time” celly which the Bucks star didn’t recognize.
Days after this, Giannis Antetokounmpo retaliated to steer the Bucks for a payback win, dropping a 64-point masterpiece of their 140-126 victory. The aftermath of the heated ball sport noticed the Greek celebrity infamously cost into the Indiana locker room in search of the sport ball.
Either side finally confronted off within the opening spherical of the 2024 Playoffs. The collection reached six grueling video games because the Pacers superior whereas the Bucks crumbled and sorely missed the presence of Antetokounmpo because of a calf damage.
As they’re about to face the Bucks for a playoff rematch, head coach Rick Carlisle is aware sufficient of the problem that awaits him and the Pacers.
“They’re nice. They’ve acquired one, two of the perfect gamers on the planet,” Carlisle mentioned of the Bucks after the Pacers’ 129-115 dub over the Orlando Magic on April 11.
“We’re all too conversant in how deadly they’re as a group. They’ve gotten higher this yr. They’ve acquired extra depth, they’ve acquired extra taking pictures.
“Extra dimension, higher protection. Many challenges.”
The Pacers noticed a comparatively robust problem from the Bucks on this 2024-25 marketing campaign. They managed to win simply one in every of their four-game common season collection, and this got here by which Haliburton drained a game-winning four-point play impressed by Indiana legend Reggie Miller.
Of the 2 nice gamers Carlisle referenced, it’s unclear if Damian Lillard shall be cleared to play.
Though there was a latest optimistic replace, it stays but to be seen if Lillard will go well with up on this yr’s Playoffs after being recognized with deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).
Carlisle and the Pacers are nonetheless rightly cautious concerning the combat that the Bucks will impose. Underneath Antetokounmpo’s stellar lead, Milwaukee is about to enter the postseason on excessive momentum as they’re savoring the return of Bobby Portis Jr. and the big-time late takeover of Kevin Porter Jr, that has helped them to seven wins in a row.
The total schedule of the NBA Playoffs is but to be revealed, however we will solely be thrilled concerning the looming renewed battle between Indiana and Milwaukee, as this stands as some of the extremely anticipated matchups for this yr.
