NBA Playoffs Round 1 – Game 2: Bucks vs. Pacers (April 22, 2025)
The Bucks are already on their back foot. After dropping Game 1 in Milwaukee, they’re heading to Indy under a lot of pressure, and possibly without Dame. The Pacers stole home-court advantage and now get a shot to tighten their grip on the series. Game 2 could even things up and show us who’s positioned best for the next matchup!
Game Details
Here are your Tuesday night plans! Game 2 tips off in prime time:
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7:00 pm ET
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Broadcast: NBA TV, FDSIN, FDSWI
Team Overviews
Both are smack dab in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff pack, but they’re built very differently. The Bucks rely on their star power, and the Pacers lean more on depth and pace.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee’s regular season was solid but really inconsistent. They have Giannis, but injuries and some wobbly chemistry have made them harder to trust. And Lillard’s injury status is looming large as they head into Game 2.
- Regular Season Record: 48-34 (5th in Eastern Conference)
- Key Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo: Averaged 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG
- Injury Report: Damian Lillard (calf): Game-time decision
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have home-court advantage, and they looked good in Game 1. They play fast, share the ball, and have the kind of chemistry that makes them tough to deal with when everything is clicking into place.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32 (4th in Eastern Conference)
- Key Player: Tyrese Haliburton: Averaged 18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG
- Injury Report: Isaiah Jackson: Out for the season (calf)
Game 1 Recap
Milwaukee got its card punched early and never recovered. The Pacers took control in the second quarter and kept their foot on the gas the rest of the way.
- Final Score: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
- Giannis went nuclear: 36 points, 12 rebounds, and the only consistent offensive option for Milwaukee all night.
- Damian Lillard sat out: His absence left the Bucks without a secondary shot creator, and it showed.
- Three-point disaster: Milwaukee shot just 9-of-37 from deep, missing open looks and losing the spacing battle.
- Pacers’ scoring depth: Six players hit double digits, including Siakam (25 points) and Turner (19 points).
- Ball movement clinic: Indiana piled up assists, kept the Bucks rotating, and turned good looks into great ones.
- Bench advantage: Indiana’s second unit outplayed Milwaukee’s, with McConnell and Mathurin making solid contributions.
- Momentum-killer third quarter: The Pacers outscored the Bucks 32-19 in the third, slamming the door shut on any kind of comeback hopes.
- No answers defensively: Milwaukee struggled to contain dribble penetration and couldn’t switch effectively without getting roasted.
Key Matchups to Watch
Game 2 might come down to one or two matchups that might not be headline news but will decide how the game plays out possession by possession.
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Pascal Siakam
Giannis is a constant force, but Siakam’s versatility makes this a chess match instead of checkers. Siakam doesn’t have to match Giannis point for point, but he needs to make him work on defense and punish any slow rotations. If Siakam can stay out of foul trouble and keep knocking down mid-range looks, it changes how physical Giannis can get.
Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard vs. Bucks’ backcourt
Haliburton has vision and pace, and Nembhard adds stability and on-ball defense. If Lillard plays, the matchup gets way more explosive for Milwaukee, but even if he doesn’t? There are Beasley and Trent Jr. that can keep Haliburton in check without giving up easy driving lanes. If Indiana’s guards get into the paint early, Milwaukee’s defense will get stretched thin fast.
Statistical Insights
The regular season numbers don’t always carry over to the playoffs, but they do show how each team likes to play.
Team Averages (Regular Season)
- Bucks: 115.5 PPG, 48.6% FG
- Pacers: 117.4 PPG, 48.8% FG
Defense
- Pacers allow: 115.1 PPG
- Bucks allow: 113.0 PPG
Current Betting Odds, Line Movement, & Predictions
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Bucks | +4.5 (-110) | +155 | Over 228.5 (-115) |
Pacers | -4.5 (-110) | -190 | Under 228.5 (-105) |
The oddsmakers at BetMGM aren’t overreacting to Game 1, but the line does show Indiana’s strong performance and their home-court advantage. The Bucks’ inconsistency and Lillard’s uncertain status have pushed the numbers in the Pacers’ favor. Below, are the odds from yesterday for Game 2 as of now:
- Spread: Pacers -4.5
- Over/Under: 228 points
- Moneyline: Pacers -193; Bucks +162
Prediction: Pacers 117, Bucks 113
Milwaukee could absolutely tighten things up if Lillard is cleared to play, but Indiana’s team cohesion and bench scoring still give them the advantage going in.
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X-Factors
Fans always watch the stars, but who’s on the bench and some more unknown players could make or break Game 2.
- Bucks: With Dame still uncertain, Milwaukee needs guys like Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. to step up offensively and take some of the pressure off of Giannis.
- Pacers: TJ McConnell keeps bringing energy and good decisions off the bench, and Benedict Mathurin’s shot-making gives Indy a better offense.
Game 2: Adjustments, Pressure, and Playoff Grit
The Bucks are in a really tough spot. Dropping Game 1 at home was bad enough, but going down 0-2 would put them in a lot of trouble, especially if Lillard still isn’t 100%. Milwaukee needs better execution, better shot selection, and better production from their role players if they want to take this one in Indy.
For the Pacers, this is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often. They’ve already taken control of the series, and now they can throw the Bucks totally off balance. Another strong team performance, anchored by Haliburton’s decision-making and Siakam’s two-way impact, could have them heading to Milwaukee with a comfy cushion.
The pressure’s mounting, and both teams know it. Game 2 will all come down to who can adapt faster, who responds in the moment, and who can keep their game together when it tightens up in the fourth.
