The Indiana Pacers have started their playoff run with a bang, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Pascal Siakam led the team with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while Myles Turner added 19 points and four blocks. Guard Andrew Nembhard scored 17 points and dished out five assists, marking a strong return from his defensive-heavy workload. The Pacers’ strategy of not committing too many bodies to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo allowed them to pick off open shooters for threes, limiting the Bucks’ scoring opportunities.
The game was dominated by the Pacers, who shot 41.7% from the floor and held the Bucks to just 9-of-37 from beyond the arc. The Pacers’ young players, Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker, also made significant contributions, with Mathurin scoring 13 points and hitting eight free throws and Walker recording five rebounds and a steal.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 36 points and 12 rebounds, but struggled at the free throw line, making just 8-of-15. The win puts the Pacers in a strong position heading into Game 2, as they look to build on their momentum against the struggling Bucks.
Source: https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2025/04/19/pacers-vs-bucks-nba-playoffs-balanced-indiana-cruises-to-game-1-win-over-giannis-antetokounmpo/83079688007