Ranking all 4 Indiana Pacers 2024 NBA Cup matchups

Apr 28, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) and center Myles Turner (33) hold back forward Aaron Nesmith (23) after a hard foul during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) and center Myles Turner (33) hold back forward Aaron Nesmith (23) after a hard foul during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Andrew Nembhard, Patrick Beverle
Apr 30, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley (21) during the first quarter during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports | Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks

When discussing which NBA Cup matchup is the most intriguing for the Pacers next season, their game against the Bucks easily ranks number one.

First, unlike the other three games the Pacers will play in the NBA Cup, their game against the Bucks will be nationally televised on ESPN. Furthermore, they are true divisional rivals. Last season, the Bucks had a better record than Indiana by two games (and the Cleveland Cavaliers by one), barely earning their sixth consecutive Central Division title.

Additionally, this is a playoff rematch from this past postseason. Despite being the No. 3 seed, the Bucks lost to the Pacers in six games in the first round. The Bucks were without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo for the whole series and Damian Lillard for two games, however, who will likely be on the court during this NBA Cup matchup.

Currently, the top three in the Eastern Conference seems like a consensus with the Boston Celtics, Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers generally being considered the best teams. However, the Bucks and Pacers are knocking on the door, hoping to exceed expectations.

This is not only a great matchup on paper with interesting storylines, but the Pacers and Bucks should also provide the NBA world with an intense and entertaining basketball game.

Schedule