The Milwaukee Bucks are all set to take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 after dominating victory. Since the team called Doc Rivers (17-19) to lead the coaching unit, the Wisconsin side has had a shaky run. Despite a few promising games, the team embarrassingly lost several games. On top of that, they lost the 2nd seed to the NY Knicks during the poor stretch. Amid these implications, the team also has a massive worry ahead of Game 2. The availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains uncertain, as the team listed him in the Questionable category with a left soleus strain.

Notably, ahead of Game 1, the team listed him questionable for last and declared him out 90 minutes before the game.

Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, the team managed to produce a dominating 94-109 performance. Damian Lillard stepped up and took the responsibility. Lillard torched the Pacers with 35 points in the first quarter alone, sinking six three-pointers. Nevertheless, the Bucks can’t expect Dame Time to produce a similar game in every game. On the other hand, Greek Freak‘s return timeline is still unclear.

Giannis suffered a left calf strain during a regular season game, against the Boston Celtics. Usually, the soleus muscle strain would take at least 15 days for the athletes to recover, and Doc Rivers hinted that the star forward could return in the playoff series. But he is yet to return, and the Bucks have a 4-5 record without him this regular season. It leaves us with only one question: how long can Lillard carry the team in his absence?

Nevertheless, the Bucks have positive news as well. Apart from Giannis, the injury report has no other player. Khris Middleton, who suffered from a knee injury throughout the season, recovered quickly. On the other hand, the Pacers also have a clean report except for Bennedict Mathurin. The shooting guard had been out of the roster since early March with season-ending shoulder surgery.

Bucks vs Pacers – Will Giannis Antetokounmpo start or someone step up?

In the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. moved to the starting line-up, taking a place alongside Khris Middleton in the front court. Portis Jr. had a decent last game, shooting above 50%. The 29-year-old dropped 15 points with 11 rebounds, helping Lillard’s cause with a solid performance.

On the other hand, his partner, Middleton, churned in 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Bucks should go with the modus operandi to strangle the Pacers from the word get-go. Lillard drained bucket after bucket and unsettled the Pacers’ offense in the first half. It left the Pacers only to play the catching-up game in the second half.

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The Bucks’ probable starting lineup: Bobby Portis Jr., Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Patrick Beverley, and Damian Lillard

On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers need their leader, Tyrese Haliburton, to show up with a better performance tonight. In the last game, he only attempted seven shots in his 38-minute stay and dropped only 9 points. Even though he recorded eight assists, the team needs him as an offensive force as well. Along with that, Pascal Siakam should continue to do what he did in the last game.

The Pacers’ probable starting lineup: Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Tyrese Haliburton