Pacers Prepare for Challenging Playoff Clash with Bucks

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Pacers are entering the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the fourth seed, boasting a 50-32 record as they prepare to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Despite their strong season, the Pacers have been given unfavorable odds to win the NBA Championship, even falling behind some teams that finished lower in the standings.

Surprisingly, the Pacers’ odds are worse now than they were last year when they unexpectedly reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Nevertheless, the team has demonstrated a consistent ability to defy expectations, particularly during the latter half of the season, which saw several players step up in pivotal roles.

Aaron Nesmith, who has been instrumental as a reliable small forward, averaged 12 points, four rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 steals per game over 45 games this season. His performance, among others, has been crucial for Indiana as they aim for a deep playoff run.

The Pacers now face a formidable opponent in the Milwaukee Bucks, who will attempt to capitalize on the absence of standout guard Damian Lillard. Despite Lillard’s absence due to deep vein thrombosis, the Bucks are still led by the powerhouse Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star. This season, Antetokounmpo has continued his elite performance, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game across 67 games.

Considering the impact that Antetokounmpo has in the Bucks’ lineup, the Pacers will have to formulate a strategic plan to contain him. Head coach Rick Carlisle is well aware of the challenge posed by the Greek Freak. “During this period where Dame has been out, he’s been seeing consistent double teams, so he’s just continued to evolve as a great player,” Carlisle remarked. “He’s mixing in the assist, the laser passes, the skip passes cross-court which are very difficult to deal with when you’re double-teaming him, and his shooting has gotten better and better.”

Furthermore, Antetokounmpo displayed an exceptional performance in his last six games played in April without Lillard, averaging 31.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 11.8 assists, securing four of those games as triple-doubles. His resurgence comes after missing the playoffs in the last two seasons due to injuries, adding to his hunger to succeed this year. “Watching the game on the bench is not fun,” Antetokounmpo shared. “It’s not fun. Maybe in 20 years, I can put on a polo or a suit — I don’t know what the coaches wear — and watch it from the bench. But now I’m just happy that I’m out there and I’m in the heat of the battle and I’m able to get my hands dirty and help my team win.”

As the Pacers prepare for this challenging playoff match-up, the spotlight will not only be on how they intend to contain Antetokounmpo, but also on their ability to rise to the occasion and prove critics wrong once again.