The Indiana Pacers open their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. The Pacers (47-35) are the No. 6 seed and the Bucks (49-33) No. 3, so Milwaukee has the home court advantage in the seven-game series.
Milwaukee is without All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) to start the series. The Pacers, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020, are led by Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.
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Milwaukee dominates late in the first quarter and throughout the second, leading by 30 points.
Damian Lillard has 35 points (!) on 11-of-19 from the field, 6-of-10 from 3, and 7-of-7 free throws.
Pascal Siakam has 19 points and Myles Turner 7 for Indiana, and the Pacers are 3-of-17 on 3-pointers.
Myles Turner hits Indiana’s first 3, from the left corner, with 2:48 to go. Just before that, Damian Lillard had scored 29 points, matching Indiana’s total.
More of the same. The Pacers are running through their timeouts.
Damian Lillard is back in the back and tearing up the Pacers with a pair of jumpers. He has 24 points, Pascal Siakam 15. The Pacers still haven’t made a 3.
Khris Middleton was left alone under the basket for a layup. It’s 12-2 in the second quarter. Timeout, Indiana. Pascal Siakam has 10 points. The rest of the Pacers are 6-of-24 from the field and 0-of-10 from 3 with 7 turnovers.
Milwaukee is much more aggressive and the Pacers appear overwhelmed by the moment. The Bucks have an 18-4 run bridging the quarters. Timeout, Indiana.
Damian Lillard has 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. He beats the buzzer with a 3. The Pacers are stuck in the mud (35.7% shooting overall, 0-of-9 on 3-pointers, 4 turnovers).
Damian Lillard has 15 points. The rest of the Bucks are 2-of-12 from the field. The Pacers have yet to hit a 3-pointer.
Damian Lillard is already up to 10 points, Pascal Siakam 6. Everyone is cold from long range. The Pacers are 0-of-5 on 3-pointers, and the Bucks are 1-of-5.
Milwaukee gets its first lead, 9-6, on three Lillard free throws with 7:50 to go.
Siakam’s jumper with 10:25 to go marks the game’s first scoring.
Pacers vs. Bucks starting lineups
Pacers: Myles Turner, Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam.
Bucks: Pat Beverly, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Damian Lillard.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 1
The Bucks confirmed that the Greek Freak won’t play in the series opener.
Pacers news from IndyStar
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‘Those five games don’t matter’: Pacers expect much different Milwaukee team in playoffs
When do the Pacers play the Bucks in the playoffs?
Sunday, April 21: at Milwaukee, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Tuesday, April 23: at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV
Friday, April 26: at Indiana, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Sunday, April 28: at Indiana, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Tuesday, April 30: at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Thursday, May 2: at Indiana, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Saturday, May 4: at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 betting line
via BetMGM
Favorite: Pacers by 1.5 points
Over/under: 231.5 total points
Moneyline: Pacers -120, Bucks +100
Tags: Pacers Bucks score updates highlights Game NBA playoffs
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