Recapping a wildly different Game 2 for Milwaukee Bucks
Dustin Dopirak, Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look back at Indiana’s convincing Game 2 win over the Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 23.
INDIANAPOLIS – The first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers shifts to Indianapolis today with a scheduled tipoff at 4:30 p.m. CDT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Khris Middleton beat the third quarter buzzer with a bucket to pull the Bucks to within 90-83 with 12 minutes to play, as he scored 24 points in 27 minutes of action.
The Pacers scored 20 second chance points in the first half and took a 67-55 lead into the break over the Bucks. Indiana added another seven points off Milwaukee turnovers. The Bucks were just 2-for-13 from behind the three-point line but were 15 of 16 from the free throw line. Khris Middleton has 19 points. Obi Toppin scored 14 off the bench for Indiana while Myles Turner had 15.
Damian Lillard went to the locker room with a left knee injury and the Pacers took a 39-22 lead after the first quarter. The Bucks started the game 2-for-10 shooting and were trailing 27-14 when Lillard made a layup. He landed, and it appeared Pascal Siakam stepped on the back of his foot.
Lillard hobbled to the bench and went to the locker room to end the quarter.
He returned just after the start of the second quarter.
Is Giannis playing tonight?
No. The two-time MVP strained his left soleus (calf) muscle on April 9, and though he has continued to get on the court he has not done any live (full speed) actions. He has been listed as doubtful for the first three games of the series, but has been ruled out early in the afternoon before Games 2 and 3.
More: Bucks ‘holding our breath’ on Khris Middleton’s availability for Game 3; Giannis injury update
Bucks record without Giannis
- 1-1 in the 2024 playoffs after Sunday’s win. Over his career, the Bucks are 4-3 in playoff games he misses.
- 4-6 in the 2023-24 regular season.
Is Khris Middleton playing?
The three-time all-star is available for the Bucks after going through his usual pregame routing. He began the day as questionable to play with a right ankle sprain suffered in the first quarter of Game 2. After stepping on Pascal Siakam’s foot in the first quarter, Middleton briefly exited the game to get his ankle retaped and returned to play 36 minutes.
He did not participate in the Bucks’ practice on Thursday.
More: Khris Middleton took Aaron Nesmith under his wing. Now they are battling in NBA playoffs
Bucks vs Pacers injury report
Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left soleus strain)
- Chris Livingston, out (non-COVID illness)
- Khris Middleton, questionable (right ankle sprain)
Pacers
- Bennedict Mathurin, out (right shoulder labral tear)
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Pat Beverley
- Forwards: Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs Pacers preview
Bucks: Damian Lillard scored 26 points in the first half of Game 2, but the Bucks never settled their defense and eventually lost control of the game. With Khris Middleton (15 points) hobbled, the Bucks will look to Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez to be bigger factors.
Pacers: Indiana baited Milwaukee to playing their high-speed game, and Pascal Siakam continued to flummox the Bucks defense with 37 points and six assists. Tyrese Haliburton didn’t shoot well (4-for-10) but handed out 12 assists.
Bucks vs Pacers odds, betting line, spread
- Spread: Bucks +6
- Over/under: 223
- Moneyline: Pacers -245; Bucks +195
Bucks vs Pacers prediction, game picks
ESPN gives the Pacers a 58% chance to beat the Bucks in Game 3.
Bucks vs Pacers stats
Bucks (regular season)
- PPG: 119.0
- PPG allowed: 116.4
- FG%: 48.7
- 3PT%: 37.3
Pacers (regular season)
- PPG: 123.3
- PPG allowed: 120.2
- FG%: 50.7
- 3PT%: 37.4
Bucks vs Pacers NBA playoffs schedule
| Date | Score |
| April 21 | Bucks 109, Pacers 94 |
| April 23 | Pacers 125, Bucks 108 |
| April 26 | Bucks at Pacers |
| April 28 | Bucks at Pacers |
| April 30 | Pacers at Bucks |
| May 2* | Bucks at Pacers |
| May 4* | Pacers at Bucks |
* if necessary
What channel is Bucks vs Pacers on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV channel: Bally Sports Wisconsin; ESPN
- Stream: You can stream the game on the Bally Sports Wisconsin and ESPN apps.
- Announcers: Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks for Bally Sports Wisconsin and Mark Jones, Hubie Brown, Monica McNutt for ESPN.
Bucks vs Pacers start time, TV info, location
- Start time: 4:30 p.m. CDT.
- TV info: Bally Sports Wisconsin and ESPN.
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana.