The Milwaukee Bucks cruised to a 15-point victory in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, despite the absence of eight-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a calf strain.
The Pacers, who were expected to have a chance to steal the series given Antetokounmpo’s absence, struggled offensively throughout the game. Everyone not named Malcolm Brogdon shot a combined 21-of-66 from the field, and the team only had 12 fastbreak points and shot 8-of-38 from behind the arc.
The Bucks, on the other hand, were led by Khris Middleton, who scored 27 points. Jrue Holiday added 25 points and Brook Lopez chipped in with 20 points.
The big question for the Bucks is Antetokounmpo’s status for Game 2. Shams Charania reported a two-to-four week timeline for Antetokounmpo, and Game 2 will be exactly two weeks from when the strain happened. There is a chance he plays, but Game 3 seems more likely.
The Pacers will need to be much better offensively in Game 2 if they want to even the series. They will need to take advantage of the open 3s that the Bucks’ defense gives them and get more production from their bench.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night in Milwaukee.
