On May 3, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 at home to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The game was once seen as a one-sided victory, and the Pacers maintained their lead, taking a nine-point lead in the first quarter, a 12-point lead at halftime, and a 15-point lead at the end of the third quarter before ending the game in a wave of fashion.
Lillard came on the court with Achilles tendon soreness, shooting 7-of-16 from the field and 4-of-12 from three-point range for 28 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 turnovers.
And the Bucks' leader player Giannis was unable to play due to a calf strain, and he sat helplessly on the bench with empty eyes, which was embarrassing. Speculation has begun that the Bucks may make a massive overhaul in the offseason, as they have reached the first round for the second year in a row, and Giannis' absence due to injury has made matters worse.
The Pacers showed team strength in this game, with many players contributing well, and the bench scoring as many as 50 points, while the Bucks' bench scored only 10 points, which was one of the big reasons for the Bucks' loss.
The schedule for the Eastern Conference semifinals has been decided, and the Bucks have been greatly reduced without Giannis, who averaged 42.2 points per game against the Pacers in the regular season, and his absence has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the team. Some media began to speculate that Giannis may seek a transfer in the offseason, with the Heat becoming the most likely destination. Giannis is already hard to win a championship with the Bucks.
Text/Yan Xiaobai
The result of this game was a surprise, with the Bucks showing such weakness without Giannis and the Pacers showing great team strength. Lillard came on the court with injuries and, despite his excellent performance, still couldn't change the Bucks' fortunes. The outcome may be just a microcosm of the Eastern Conference semifinals, but it also reflects the challenges and difficulties the Bucks may face in the future.
For the Bucks, the current situation is not optimistic. Giannis' injury has plagued the team, and the team seems to have slipped in terms of overall strength. In the face of such a predicament, the team must make deep reflections and adjustments. Will there be a need for a roster reshuffle in the offseason? Will there be a need to find a new way of playing? These are all questions that Bucks management needs to seriously consider.
And for the Pacers, the win meant they took a significant step in the playoffs. They showed team cohesion and combat effectiveness, and performed with ease at critical moments. Their performance is commendable, but what needs to be more wary of is the new tactics and adjustments that opponents may adopt in the next round.
In this competitive NBA arena, victory often depends on the team's overall strength and teamwork ability. Both the Bucks and the Pacers need to make a comprehensive review and adjustment in the offseason to be fully prepared for the next season. Regardless of the result, we look forward to seeing them perform even better in the future and bring more exciting games to the fans."
Therefore, let's look forward to the arrival of the next season, and look forward to the Bucks and Pacers showing more exciting performances in the new season and bringing us more exciting games. May the NBA's rising stars continue to work hard in the future journey and write their own glorious chapters!