INDIANA @ MILWAUKEE (MIL -1.5, 222.5)
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PACERS VS. BUCKS 4/23/24
After more than 34 months without playing in a postseason game, Damian Lillard was well-prepared for Game 1. Lillard made his debut in a postseason game with Milwaukee known by scoring 35 points, all in the first half. When the Bucks look to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, he might be in the lead role once more.
Due to a strained left calf, former two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Sunday's 109-94 victory in Game 1 and might not be in the starting lineup on Tuesday. The Bucks leading scorer is listed at out indefinitely on the latest injury report. Bucks fans need not worry; Lillard is prepared to land more blows in the event that Antetokounmpo is unable to go.
Throughout his 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard participated in 61 postseason games. However, the team didn’t make the playoffs the previous two seasons, and after the 2022–2023 campaign, Lillard requested a trade. Ultimately, he signed with the Bucks. When Lillard scored easily in the first half of Game 1, it was undoubtedly "Dame Time." He’d like it to continue into Game 2.
Although Lillard failed to score in the second half, it was not a major issue. At the half, the Bucks led 69-42 and dominated the remainder of the game. Milwaukee's other standout performers were Bobby Portis (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Khris Middleton (23 points, 10 rebounds).
The Pacers will take a win any way they can get it. Following their Game 7 loss in the 2018 first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana has now lost 10 straight postseason games. The current run of losses dates back to that series.
The Pacers' lead over Milwaukee lasted for just a few minutes early in Game 1. They were outscored 39-21 in the second quarter after trailing by nine at the end of the first. During the regular season, the Pacers averaged an NBA-best 123.3 points per game and only once fell short of 100, scoring 99 points in a March 27 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
With 36 points and 13 rebounds, Pascal Siakam was outstanding for Indiana. Myles Turner scored 17 points, but only made 5-of-17 field goals. Star Tyrese Haliburton scored just nine points in almost 38 minutes.
Milwaukee has now beaten Indiana in 13 of the last 15 meetings. That includes 11 of the last 14 played in Milwaukee. The Pacers are 4-2 ATS in the last six head-to-head meetings.
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FREE PICK: PATRICK BEVERLEY OVER 7.5 POINTS
Beverley played 37 minutes in Game 1 and had just five points. He contributed elsewhere with seven rebounds and eight assists. Many of those dimes helped Damian Lillard score 35 points in Game 1. Tonight, Beverley may have to contribute more in terms of points. Beverley hasn’t hit this number in any of the games he’s played against Indiana this season, but he’s projected to score at least 10. Beverley averages 6.2 points per game, but for the month of April he’s scoring over 8.0 per game. At even money, we’ll play Beverley to have himself a night.
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