The Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks will lock horns for Game 2 of their playoff series. The Pacers will look to take a 2-0 lead after beating the Bucks 117-98 in Game 1 this past Saturday.
The Pacers came out swinging in front of their raucous home crowd and left the Bucks searching for identity on both ends of the court. But could help finally be on the way for Milwaukee? Well, Game 2 is here, and this time, Milwaukee needs answers.
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report for Game 2
Milwaukee is hoping for a lifeline, and Damian Lillard might just be that lifeline. The nine-time NBA All-Star missed a month due to a blood clot scare, but signs point to a possible return on Tuesday night.
Lillard is listed as questionable with “return to competition reconditioning,” and if cleared, he could provide the shot creation, floor spacing, and veteran presence the Bucks sorely lacked in Game 1.
Without Lillard, it was the Giannis Antetokounmpo show, as the former MVP dropped 36 points and grabbed 12 boards. However, he was a lone soldier in a starting five that offered little to no help.
Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince were both held scoreless, Ryan Rollins added just five, and Brook Lopez chipped in nine. That’s just not going to cut it in the playoffs.
Bucks’ injured players: Tyler Smith (out, left ankle sprain), Damian Lillard (questionable, calf)
Bucks’ projected lineup: Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Indiana Pacers Injury Report for Game 2
On the flip side, the Pacers are feeling it, and why wouldn’t they be? With double digits in Game 1 by six players, you can’t blame them.
Pascal Siakam set the tone early and often, cooking up 25 points like it was just another day. Myles Turner wasn’t far behind, dropping 19 and swatting shots like a man on a mission with four blocks.
Andrew Nembhard held it down next to Tyrese Haliburton, who was out there dealing dimes like a Vegas dealer, ending with 12 assists and nearly bagging a triple-double. Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin came in hot with 13.
Even more impressive was Indiana’s defensive effort. The Pacers held Milwaukee to under 42% from the field, forced 10 turnovers, and crushed the Bucks in second-unit production. Charging in with almost a fully healthy roster, this squad’s depth remains intact and dangerous.
Pacers’ injured players: Isaiah Jackson (out with a torn Achilles)
Pacers’ projected lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Game 2 could flip the momentum of this series in a full 360. But if Milwaukee can’t clean up its offense or find a way to contain Indiana’s fast-paced attack, this one might be over before it even gets back to Fiserv Forum.
