There is a new rivalry in the East this season, and the playoffs can add more fuel to the fire. The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The young Pacers have outsmarted the Bucks 4 times this season, twice in the heated In-Season Tournament; all while Giannis dominated the paint. Now, as the Bucks gear up for a potentially tough playoff welcome, their chances get slimmer in Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s recent calf strain. With that, several experts and fans have cited his game-changing presence for the coming series.

Fans want to see the 2021 NBA Champion redeem his last year’s run, while experts cite concerns over Antetokounmpo’s injury, advising him to prioritize his body first. In light of the same, Nat and Justin of The Golden Spaces Podcast claim that the Bucks don’t stand a chance if Giannis is not cleared to play. As Nat shares her desire for the “Pacers to upset the Bucks,” Justin admits, “It’s possible. If Giannis ain’t playing, Hali [Tyrese Haliburton], Siakam, and Miles Turner and that offense can definitely beat them.” He then backs up his statement by citing that Damian Lillard seems “at the end of his prime,” ultimately resting the ball in Doc Rivers’ possession.

Rivers was inducted by the Bucks 3-weeks before the All-Star Weekend, after a surprise firing of their first-year head coach Adrian Griffin. The move came in light of Rivers’ experience within the NBA bolstering the Bucks’ coherence. With that, Justin and Nat immediately chucked that notion out of the window by simply highlighting Rivers’ 17-19 record with the team. However, the Pacers have faced both Giannis and Dame, but are yet to face Rivers, proving him to be their faun in the uncertain times.

The first round is a Pacers vs Doc Rivers matchup

The series against the Pacers is more of a test for Doc Rivers than the Bucks stars. Lillard has managed to find a rhythm in a new jersey, however, has yet to show signs of his Portland days. The 2024 all-star MVP averaged 20.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 5 rebounds against Indy. However, he does that with a dismal 32.4% shooting from the floor and 26.5% from three.

Giannis recorded 42.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 5.4 assists against the Pacers this season. Despite the humongous stat line, his high-scoring games have often resulted in a loss.

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With that, as Doc Rivers steps in, he can bring his ’08 championship knack of harmonizing multiple all-stars. Sure, Doc had more than 2 star players in the Boston Celtics’ squad.

However, he can help Damian Lillard reach closer to his true shooting potential by optimizing his shot selection. On the other hand, he can harmonize Giannis’ high-scoring by crafting plays for Bobby Portis Jr., who stepped-up in the backup role during the Bucks’ 2021 championship run.

This could not only elevate the Bucks’ clutch-time chances under Lillard’s caliber, but also help Giannis endure the playoff intensity in light of his recent injury scare.