With a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Indiana Pacers are in a great spot to begin their playoff run. Though there is still a lot of basketball left, the Pacers are proving their doubters wrong and that last year's conference finals run was not a fluke.
Early in their first-round series, the Pacers have exploited some of the Bucks' biggest weaknesses. Additionally, they have played great basketball on both sides of the court. With Game 3 being on Friday, the Pacers will look to continue playing the style of basketball that got them to this spot and take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Bucks.
The Pacers have executed their game plan well and have done a great job of playing up to their strengths. However, the Bucks also beat themselves a little bit in the first two games of a series, thanks to a major disadvantage they have that bodes well for the Pacers.
Indiana has a major advantage over the Bucks
A lot has been said about the Pacers' energy, speed, and ability to neutralize some of Milwaukee's top role players. While Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing fantastic basketball in the series, nobody else on the Bucks is posing as a threat to the Pacers. Much of this is because of the Pacers' game plan and how well they are executing it. As it stands, Rick Carlisle is drastically outcoaching Doc Rivers, and in some ways, the Bucks are beating themselves because of this.
Arguably the most notable disadvantage the Bucks have on the coaching front is Rivers' lack of adjustments, particularly in his lineups. For example, through two games, big man Brook Lopez has made it clear that he cannot match up with Indiana's speed or energy. This has allowed the Pacers to get on big scoring runs. However, Rivers has not done anything to adjust and address the issue, giving the Pacers an opportunity to expose one of the Bucks' biggest weaknesses.
The Pacers are outplaying the Bucks, and things look good for them for the rest of the series. However, Rivers' shortcomings as the Bucks' head coach have also done the Pacers a lot of favors, ones that they have done a great job taking advantage of.
For the rest of the series, this will be worth monitoring. If Rivers and the Bucks cannot figure it out, a series victory for Indiana may be inevitable. Furthermore, even if they do, the Pacers are already at an advantage and will still have a great opportunity to advance to the second round.