The Indiana Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and the Pacers are 4.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM.
The Pacers beat the Bucks 117-98 in Game 1 with a balanced attack. Milwaukee didn’t give Giannis Antetokounmpo enough help. Damian Lillard missed Game 1 as he continues his recovery from a blood clot in his right leg. He is active tonight.
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‘Expect hard’: After comfy Game 1 win, Pacers expect much different Bucks
Are Pacers favored over Bucks today, April 22? Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks betting odds
via BetMGM
Game 2 favorite: Pacers by 4.5 points
Over/under: 228.5 total points
Moneyline: Pacers -190, Bucks +155
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Pacers a 60.8% chance of winning.
Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Pacers 122-111
“The Pacers took control of Game 1 in the second quarter and checked just about every box in terms of game-plan priorities. They held Giannis Antetokounmpo to a manageable number of points — and yes, anything under 40 counts as manageable for him — and the rest of the Bucks didn’t burn them. Milwaukee’s starters outside of Antetokounmpo were particularly terrible.
“The Pacers are expecting a much better Milwaukee team in Game 2, and they should, especially if Damian Lillard returns. The Pacers should be much better. The Pacers can’t expect the Bucks to shoot 9-of-37 from 3-point range, but the Bucks can’t expect Tyrese Haliburton to go 0-of-7 from deep. If Lillard plays, he’s going to make a significant impact, and the other Bucks starters have to be better. But that still won’t be enough.”
“Lillard is questionable for Game 2, and the Bucks will need as much jump shooting as possible to hang with surging, frenetic Indy.”
“Even if Lillard is able to go on Tuesday night, he hasn’t played in weeks and is coming off of a pretty serious ailment (a blood clot) to return to a playoff setting.
“Dame’s shot-making is needed for the Bucks, but defensively this team is still a mess. Milwaukee was in the bottom half of the NBA in defensive rating following the All-Star break, and it struggled to get stops in Game 1.”
“The Bucks will be shattered after a poor performance in Game 1. Antetokounmpo was a one-man army in an unfortunate circumstance without his second-leading scorer, Lillard. Meanwhile, the Pacers have no shortage of offensive options. They made a conference finals run last season with the same core, which explains their confidence. I believe they will win again, but probably under 10 points, but more than 5.”
“The Bucks will be hoping for a better effort in this one, as they really didn’t help Antetokounmpo at all in a disappointing performance in the series opener. As dominant as the Pacers looked on Saturday, you have to expect a closer contest in this one. With that being said, the line is still so short that I am sticking with the Pacers to go up 2-0 in the series heading to Milwaukee.”
What channel is Pacers game on today, April 22? How can I watch Pacers vs Bucks in NBA playoffs?
TV: FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting); NBATV.
Watch the game with Fubo (free trial)
How can I stream, listen to Pacers today, April 22?
93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analysis) and Pat Boylan (sideline reporting). Game 1 streaming is on SiriusXM channels 81, 212 (Bucks feed).
Pacers vs Bucks playoff schedule; when do Pacers and Bucks play today, April 22?
(All times ET; *-if necessary)
Game 1, April 19: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Game 2, Tues., April 22: at Pacers, 7 p.m.
Game 3, Fri., April 25: at Bucks, 8 p.m.
Game 4, Sun., April 27: at Bucks, 9:30 p.m.
*-Game 5, Tues., April 29: at Pacers, TBA
*-Game 6, Fri., May 2: at Bucks, TBA
*-Game 7, Sun., May 4: Pacers, TBA
