With little margin for error, the Milwaukee Bucks will welcome the Indiana Pacers to Fiserv Forum on Saturday for a must-win Game Three of the sides' playoff matchup.
Down 2-0 after the opening two matches, the hosts cannot afford another empty outing this weekend, knowing a defeat would leave them on the brink of a first-round elimination for the second season running.
Match preview
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Four days after getting their playoff journey underway with a 117-98 triumph, the Indiana Pacers completed a clean sweep at home by beating the Bucks 123-115 in Wednesday's encounter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In keeping with their Game One display, Rick Carlisle's men wasted no time taking control of proceedings, leading by 10 points after the opening quarter, although they were left sweating down the stretch with their lead cut down to two heading into the final 120 seconds.
Pascal Siakam enjoyed another superb outing as he tallied 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton also notched another 20-point double-double with 21 points and a game-high 12 dimes.
Off the back his altercation with Damian Lillard from the opening chapter of the series, Haliburton admitted the Bucks and the Pacers 'do not like each other' as one of the modern NBA rivalries continues to heat up.
Having now put themselves in pole position to make it through to the conference semi-finals, the Pacers will set out to quash any attempt of a Bucks comeback in the first of two crucial games at the Fiserv Forum.
Off the back of defeats in each of their last three trips to Wisconsin, Saturday's visitors have not fared well away from home against their hosts in recent times but will head into this weekend's affair in high spirits.
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Albeit with the same outcome, the Milwaukee Bucks put on a much better performance last time out than they did in Game One but ultimately fell short of a much-needed victory in their quest to restore parity in the series.
Despite trailing for all but 23 seconds of the clash, Doc Rivers's men dug deep on multiple occasions to remain alive in the contest, thanks in no small part to Giannis Antetokounmpo's 34 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists.
Making his first appearance since March 19 due to a deep vein thrombosis, Lillard managed to knock down just four of his 13 shots en route to a 14-point outing—his lowest in a playoff game for the Bucks since joining from the Portland Trail Blazers.
In what would be only their second playoff game together, Lillard and Antetokounmpo will need to be on song for the Bucks if they are to dig themselves out of a self-dug hole with an early postseason exit now staring them in the face.
Responsible for two of the last six 2-0 comebacks in NBA playoff history, Saturday's hosts definitely have knowledge of pulling off the seemingly impossible at this stage but will need to set the tone with a dominant display this weekend.
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Team News
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With Lillard returning to action last time out, Tyler Smith is the Bucks' only guaranteed absentee for this one as he continues to battle with an ankle problem.
Giannis Antetokounmpo extended his impressive individual streak against the Pacers and continues to hold the all-time record for the most points per game against a single opponent over the last 10 years.
Isaiah Jackson remains unavailable for Indiana due to a torn Achilles and is currently focused on returning to full match fitness ahead of the start of next season.
Ben Sheppard could also miss out for the away side here with a toe problem, but the 23-year-old guard is drawing increasingly closer towards returning to action.
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard, Prince; Kuzma, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
Indiana Pacers possible starting five:
Haliburton, Nembhard; Nesmith, Siakam; Turner
We say: Bucks to win by 6+ points
The Bucks must rise up to the occasion in front of what is set to be an expectant home support as they look to get their playoff journey back on track.
We fancy the home side to emerge victorious at the end of the 48 minutes.
Adepoju Marvellous
