With Giannis Antetokounmpo injured and uncertain to return in the first round of the NBA playoffs, there are concerns whether the Milwaukee Bucks have what it takes to beat the Indiana Pacers. After all, Indiana got the better of Milwaukee in their match-ups this 2023-24.
Sure enough, it will be difficult for the Bucks, but they are not without a fighting chance. The Pacers have a big weakness, and it’s something Milwaukee can take advantage of.
Indiana Pacers’ Bad Habit Could Doom Them vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In a preview of the playoff battle by John Schuman of NBA.com, he mentioned how the Pacers allow their opponents to score in the paint a little too much: 56 percent to be specific.
While the Pacers have done a pretty good job preventing their opponents to take a lot of shots from deep, they do so while sacrificing their interior defense. As Schuman noted, it’s the highest scoring rate allowed in the NBA in the said area.
Here’s what Schuman wrote:
“The Pacers allowed their opponents to take 56% of their shots in the paint. That was the league’s highest opponent rate by a huge margin. Indiana limited opponent 3-point attempts, but gave up a lot of shots near the basket, a strategy that didn’t work out so well given that they finished 24th in defensive efficiency. The good news is that they got better at defending shots in the paint (55.4%), as they ranked 16th defensively over the last five weeks than they were prior (59.3%).”
Now, the problem for the Bucks is that they are a 3-point shooting team. They are in the Top 5 in the league in 3-points made and attempted, and they are 11th when it comes to 3-point shooting clip at 37.3 percent.
Furthermore, Antetokounmpo is actually their dominant force in the pain, as he put up 20.3 points per game in the said area. Aside from him, no one in Milwaukee is as great in scoring from such part of the floor.
Without the Greek Freak, it might prove difficult for the Bucks to take advantage of the Pacers’ major weakness. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that it gives them a major advantage.
If the Bucks focus on taking high-percentage shots in the paint rather thank firing 3-pointers all the time, they might be able to contend offensively against the Pacers’ high-octane attack. Of course they will also need to buckle up defensively, but it certainly gives them a fighting chance.
Milwaukee Bucks Must Avoid Isolation Plays
Aside from attacking the basket consistently, though, the Milwaukee Bucks need to lessen their isolation plays. Doc Rivers said as much following their loss to the Orlando Magic in the final game of the regular season, admitting that they are not a good iso team.
Rivers and the Bucks must understand that they can’t play the same way they usually do with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Considering that it’s unknown when their superstar will be back, they will need to cater more to Damian Lillard’s playing style, as well as be smart when it comes to their opponents.
It remains to be seen what kind of adjustments the Bucks will make against the Indiana Pacers, but they will have to figure it out really soon.
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