Mar 18, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (right) chats up Golden State Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams before a game at Chase Center. “There is optimism that Damian Lillard will be cleared at some point before the playoffs,” Charamia said.

The Pacers went 4-1 in the five meetings last season, followed by a 4-2 triumph in the first round. Things flipped this season, with the Bucks taking three of four (and the loss coming on Haliburton’s four-point play with three seconds left).

The Bucks can't have momentary lapses in fast break defense, even for a few possessions, in their first-round series against the Pacers.