A quick overview of the Indiana Pacers/Milwaukee Bucks rivalry after the first round

The Indiana Pacers have advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs after their Game 6 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This caps off a season full of win after win against the Bucks which ended in the sweetest possible way. For months, these two teams have been going at each others' necks, whether that be during their five regular season matchups, during All-Star Weekend, or even through the media with light jabs here and there.

For those who may remember, when asked if the Pacers/Bucks matchups were considered a rivalry to him yet, Haliburton said that he does not consider it a rivalry unless the teams meet up in the playoffs, which is exactly what they did.

Additionally, despite the obvious injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, this was still seen as one of the most highly anticipated series, with an unproven Indiana team with little to no playoff experience trying to prove they belong in the playoffs against a seasoned Milwaukee team with plenty of playoff veterans and NBA champions.

First of all, there is a reason why this was easily the most anticipated possible first-round matchup for both teams. These teams have been connected to each other basically all year, and everyone has seen the subtle shots both have taken at each other. The animosity that flared up in the playoffs was not anything out of the ordinary, but rather something that had been brewing for months upon months. Let's start at the beginning.