Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers: Numbers suggest NBA playoff series will feature plenty of offense
Defense may win NBA championships, but it likely won't be on display much in the first-round playoff series between the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Indiana (47-35) has the top scoring offense in the league at 123.3 points per game and the Bucks (49-33) are not far behind, ranking fourth with 119 points per contest. If betting is your jam, don't expect to hit the under much with these two teams.
Of course the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo is critical to Milwaukee's chances. The Bucks star has been out of action since Tuesday night after straining his left calf.
Here's a few things to know about the series:
Milwaukee Bucks probable starters
G Damian Lillard, 24.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists
G Patrick Beverley, 6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg
F Khris Middleton, 15.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg
F Bobby Portis' 13.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.3 apg (If Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with an injury)
C Brook Lopez, 12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.6 apg
Indiana Pacers probable starters
G Tyrese Haliburton, 20.1 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, 10.9 assists
G Andrew Nembhard, 9.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4.1 apg
F Pascal Siakam, 21.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.8 apt
F Aaron Nesmith, 12.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apg
C Myles Turner, 16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.3 apg
Bucks vs Pacers season searies
This is probably the matchup most Bucks fans didn't want to see in the first round, but perhaps the matchup with Indiana will provide some extra juice for the Bucks players. This is certainly a payback series for Milwaukee as it dropped four of five games to its Central Division rival, including an ugly loss in the NBA In-Season Tournament:
Nov. 9: Indiana 126, Milwaukee 124: Despite 54 points from Antetokounmpo, Haliburton leads the Pacers to victory with 29 points and 10 assists.
Dec. 7: Indiana 128, Milwaukee 119: The Bucks fall to the Pacers in the semifinals of the first NBA in-season tournament Milwaukee gave up 23 second-chance points, including 15 on offensive rebounds. After the game, Portis was reportedly upset with former Bucks coach Adrian Griffin about how the offense was run in the fourth quarter.
Dec. 13: Milwaukee 140, Indiana 126: After the first two losses to the Pacers, Giannis claimed he "might have to make something happen." He wasn't kidding around — he scored a franchise-record 64 points. There were plenty of fireworks after the game, too, as Giannis and his brother, Thanasis, rushed down the tunnel after the game toward the Pacers locker room searching for the game ball.
Jan. 1: Indiana 122, Milwaukee 113: The Pacers rallied from a pair of 15-point deficits and broke the Bucks' 15-game home winning streak despite a triple-double from Giannis.
Jan. 3: Indiana 142, Milwaukee 130: The Pacers continued to score at will against the Bucks, with their highest point total of the five games. Middleton played with a wrist injury, but the Pacers scored 47 points in the third quarter. The Pacers averaged 128.8 points in the five games against Milwaukee.
What is the injury that has kept Giannis Antetokounmpo out of action for the Bucks?
Antetokounmpo has a left soleus strain. No timeline has been set for his return. The team said he will "receive daily treatment and evaluation."
If Giannis Antetokounmpo can't play in Game 1 of the series, who will start in his place?
Portis has started in place of Giannis. He's averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in those three games, including a 30-point, nine-rebound and five-steal effort Wednesday night against the Magic at Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has dominated the Pacers this season
The Pacers have had their way with the Bucks, but Antetokounmpo has been unstoppable, averaging 42.2 points and 13 rebounds in the five games, including games of 64 and 52 points.
Damian Lillard hasn't played well against the Pacers this season
Lillard has struggled from the floor against Indiana, making just 32% of his shots in four games. He's averaging 20.2 points per game but making just 26.4% of his three-point attempts (nine of 34).
The Pacers' best player is from Wisconsin
Haliburton is from Oshkosh and attended Oshkosh North High School.
Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers playoff history
Somewhat surprisingly, the Central Division rivals have met just twice in the playoffs. The Pacers won both series, in 1999 and 2000.
Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers series odds
Despite the uncertain status of Giannis and a 1-4 record against the Pacers this season, the Bucks have opened at -350 to win the series. The Pacers are at +265.
Bucks-Pacers TV schedule
The Bucks will have four games of seven possible games at home and the series will begin Sunday, April 21. Times and television networks have yet to be announced.
What to know: Details on schedule for Bucks-Pacers first-round playoff series
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers NBA playoff series
