…and the Milwaukee Bucks prepared to head into the NBA playoffs as the No. 1 seed. All the optimism is clouded with uncertainty, as guard Damian Lillard’s future remains uncertain. Lillard will miss his 13th consecutive game due to blood clots in his right calf. Regardless, this is an ominous sign that he may not be ready for the start of their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.
On Friday night, the Bucks clinched their spot with a hard-fought win over the Detroit Pistons 125-119, extending their winning streak to seven games. With this win, they locked in that No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. It blistered the path toward what would prove an exhilarating rematch with the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. Milwaukee has played well without Lillard, taking three of their four meetings with Indiana this year. The Pacers have given Milwaukee fits over the years, as they lead the season series 8-3 in their last 11 meetings.
For Bucks’ coach Doc Rivers, getting Giannis Antetokounmpo right and healthy as they head into the postseason was paramount. Antetokounmpo has been out of this world, averaging 31.8 points, 12.0 rebounds and 11.8 assists over his last six outings. Rivers said, “For Giannis in the last three playoffs, if I’m right, has not been available most of the time. So he wants to be healthy. I don’t think anyone in this room would disagree that we’re a better team when Giannis is healthy.”
Even without Lillard, the Bucks have found a way to scratch and claw and beat teams on the highest of levels. They’ve proven they cannot compete without him. Rivers conceded as much, noting, “We had to go on a run,” and that’s just what they did.
The organization remains cautious regarding Lillard’s health. He still to this day is on blood thinners to stabilize the clotting process. The team will only be able to be sure of his status once medical evaluations determine that the blood clot has fully disappeared.
With the playoff only a stride away, Antetokounmpo’s role will be much more important for the Bucks. His recent games show he’s starting to find his rhythm just when it matters most. The playoffs are starting soon … can’t wait! Just like pretty much every professional sports franchise, both the Bucks and Pacers are hungry to leverage their strengths and maximize their opponents’ weaknesses.
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