The Milwaukee Bucks rolled in their Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers despite being without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While the final margin was only 15 points, the game was basically out of reach after the first quarter.
Damian Lillard put together an offensive masterclass in the first half, scoring all 35 of his points throughout the first two quarters.
Khris Middleton resembled the old “K-Mid,” pouring in 23 points in an impressive display of difficult shot-making.
One concern for the Pacers is All-Star Tyrese Haliburton’s poor play. He has struggled since suffering a Grade 1 strain to his left hamstring in January.
Was Game 1 an indication of what we can expect from both teams in this series, or was it an outlier? We should find out Tuesday night.
Bucks vs. Pacers odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacers | +1.5 (-112) | +100 | o222 (-110) |
| Bucks | -1.5 (-108) | -120 | u222 (-110) |
Pacers vs. Bucks prediction
(8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 1 was a beatdown, with Milwaukee leading by as many as 29 points at one point. Nearly everything went right for the Bucks, while the Pacers could not have played much worse.
Besides Lillard’s 35 points and Middleton’s 23 on 9-for-14 shooting, Bobby Portis had a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds).
The Bucks also hit 14 three-pointers and committed just 10 turnovers.
Conversely, the Pacers got the worst versions of Myles Turner and Haliburton that exist. Turner shot 29.4% from the field on 17 shots, while Haliburton failed to reach double-digit points or assists.
Indiana also shot 20.5% from 3-point land, substantially worse than its season average of 37%.
The Pacers looked like deer in the headlights in Game 1, but that initial shock is gone and they should more closely resemble the team that dominated Milwaukee throughout the regular season.
Expect coach Rick Carlisle to tighten rotations after some bench players struggled to provide valuable minutes.
Additionally, the Pacers should have some positive regression in their shooting in Game 2.
It would be shocking to see Haliburton put together another putrid performance, especially against a poor Bucks backcourt defense that he has had his way with this season.
Betting on the NBA?
- Check out the best NBA betting sites
- Read our guide on how to bet on basketball
- Get the latest NBA Championship odds
- Use the North Carolina betting apps
Per Fantasy Pros, Milwaukee has given up the second-most points to opposing point guards this season.
Despite the struggles in Game 1, Indiana had a few positive takeaways, including Pascal Siakam’s overall play. Siakam finished with an efficient 36 points and 13 rebounds.
The Pacers held Milwaukee to a 40-point second half, proving they can step up on that end of the floor.
If they also make the necessary adjustments on offense, where they averaged just shy of 123 points per game this season, they should be in terrific shape for Game 2.