Indianapolis (WISH) – The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks compete within the first spherical of the NBA qualifiers for the second consecutive yr.
Even when it is the identical match, the 2 groups have modified since final yr’s eliminatory collection.
The bucks have been with out their star and twice MVP Giannis antetokounmpo for the entire collection. This yr, Antetokounmpo is in good well being and has been in tears. Over the last six video games he has performed within the common season, he has a mean of 31.8 factors, 12 rebounds and 11.8 assists per recreation.
Pacers Ahead Pascal Siakam famous the presence of Antetokounmpo as a transparent distinction.
“It is a large plus,” stated Siakam. “They’ve a distinct group. They’ve guys who come out of the bench that play very effectively. They’ve a distinct group that performs arduous they usually rolled.”
Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle famous that they’d develop into bigger and extra bodily.
A standard change on this yr’s Bucks group that Carlisle and his gamers defined are their gamers and the depth of the bench.
“I’ve the impression that their bench might be deeper than they have been final yr,” stated Haliburton.
The bucks exchanged in opposition to Kyle Kuzma on the deadline for commerce, separating from Khris Middleton. Additionally they added Kevin Porter Jr. to the deadline and Gary Trent Jr. earlier than the season. The three gamers have been on common in two factors in factors in Milwaukee this season.
“It will likely be many alternative challenges of what we had final yr, what I believe,” Siakam stated. “So we’ve got to be prepared.”
Whereas the Bucks have a wholesome star in Antetokounmpo this season, the standing of Damian Lillard is just not clear. It was reported Tuesday that Lillard will miss the beginning of the playoffs because of blood clots (deep venous thrombosis) in his calf.
Lillard performed 4 of the six video games within the eliminatory collection of the primary spherical of the Pacers-Bucks final season.
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