Indiana Pacers Host Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Playoff Opener

The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks are set to face off in a first-round matchup of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, with the Pacers holding the fourth seed and the Bucks the fifth. Both teams finished the regular season strong, each winning eight of their last ten games, and feature standout players: the Pacers are led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, while the Bucks rely on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and sharpshooter Damian Lillard, though Lillard will miss Game 1 due to injury. The Pacers have demonstrated impressive depth and scoring balance, with seven players averaging double figures, and will have home-court advantage for this rematch of last season's playoff series. The Bucks, recent NBA Cup champions, won three of the four regular-season meetings against the Pacers, but the games were closely contested. Analysts anticipate a competitive series likely to go the distance, with the Pacers favored by some due to their consistency and recent improvements. Tickets for the series are available on secondary markets, and Game 1 tips off on Saturday, April 19, in Indianapolis.