NBA Playoffs 2023/24, 1st round, Game 5, Wednesday, 01.05.2024
The fact that the Suns are already out is the first big surprise of these 2024 NBA Playoffs for me, and in just four games! But if the Bucks were to be eliminated as well, that would be the bottom of the barrel.
Meanwhile, according to my Bucks Pacers tip, there is a real chance that the green-and-whites could be eliminated in the first round. After all, persistent injury woes may once again rob them of two of their key players …
Indiana is now just one win away from reaching the Western Conference semi-finals for the first time since 2014.
The Pacers had previously suffered five consecutive first-round exits from 2016 to 2020 and finished the season 11th in their conference a year ago.
For the Bucks, on the other hand, being behind in the current series and now just one step away from possible elimination was not part of the plan.
However, according to many experts, Milwaukee’s injury layoffs are so severe that they could be eliminated for good as early as tonight.
It’s one thing to have to compete without two starters. But it’s another thing to lose 40% of your starting lineup of Eastern Conference All-Stars at the worst possible time.
That was the Bucks’ situation on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo was already out from the start of the series due to an injured left calf muscle.
Then Damian Lillard re-injured his already sore right hamstring late in regulation time of Game 3 …
On top of that, Khris Middleton was playing with a bruised ankle and Bobby Porti’s ill-considered action led to a sending-off within the first quarter. This quickly explains why Indiana was able to win Game 4 with a relatively commanding 123-113 victory
It’s debatable whether the Bucks would have had a real chance of winning the game without their superstars. But it still felt like a moral victory at times!
Because the ten brave players who played for Coach Doc Rivers in the first half were only three points behind at the break!
But even the last resistance was broken when the Pacers pulled away for good with an 11-2 run in the second quarter. Indiana outscored the Bucks 31-21 in the third quarter and never let Milwaukee get closer than six points in the final 18 minutes.
Still, valiant effort, especially from Middleton and Brook Lopez, who showed some great moves, no question! But it was Indiana that looked like a team on its way to the next round.
As things stand, we could be in for a rematch of Game 4 tonight. Because even though the Bucks’ season is on the line, I have a strong suspicion that their two superstars won’t be ready in time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may have worked hard over the weekend for a possible return, but even if he is thrown into the fray out of necessity, he can be expected to perform at 70% of his average level at best.
Even less for Damian Lillard. The agile point guard lives off his speed and until Sunday he was still running around with a special protective device for his foot, so there’s no reason to hope for a miracle recovery
You may be surprised at this point, but the Bucks Pacers odds tempt me to make a very special kind of handicap bet on my sports betting app.
Since the Pacers are slightly too heavily favored with odds of 1.61 to 2.35 on average, it makes more sense for me to send the green and white into the race with a small points advantage.
Because the Bucks are playing at home, feel the pressure of having to win the game at all costs and were competitive to the end even without their superstars.
Game 3 & 4 went to the Pacers by just 3 and 13 points respectively, which is not the world.
If the rumors are to be believed and Antetokounmpo is in the game tonight, it should at least be as close as Game 3 again.
Conclusion: It’s not that the Pacers are necessarily playing the best basketball in the NBA at the moment, it’s more the Bucks’ bad luck with injuries that is causing the green-and-whites problems.
However, Antetokounmpo is likely to return after almost a month out, which should have a positive effect on the team’s morale.
With the support of the home fans behind them, the hosts should at least be able to produce a real heart-stopping final!
Meil Bucks Pacers Tip: MIL wins with HC +3.5!
