The Indiana Pacers had perhaps the worst game possible during Game 1 of their series against the Bucks. They did almost nothing right, specifically in the first half. Damian Lillard scored 35 points in that half and the Pacers were down by as much as 30 points.
For a lot of the players on the Pacers, it was their first time playing in the playoffs. Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Ben Sheppard are just some of the players who had never played in a playoff game before Game 1. Aaron Nesmith had barely had any real minutes before that either.
It was very clear that they were shellshocked in Game 1. They didn't really know how to fight back after they got hit in the mouth. The Pacers fixed all of that after blowing the Bucks out in Game 2 on Tuesday night. Now, they head back to the friendly confines of home.
The Indiana Pacers aren't afraid of the moment and the playoffs aren't too big for them and they won't let the Bucks bully them
What we learned is that the Pacers will not be bullied by the Bucks. Even though a lot of those players are still from the championship team in 2021, the young Pacers are not afraid. They will fight and show that the bright lights of the playoffs are not too much for them.
Now that Indiana returns home for Games 3 and 4, expect them to be settled for both of those games. The building is going to be juiced and the Pacers have played well at home. Shortening the rotation has helped them too. I don't think that's going to change for the rest of the series either.
The Pacers won't shoot as poorly as they did in Game 1 again. It would shock me to see the Pacers shoot that uncharacteristically bad. Game 2 is more like what they typically do. Expect good shooting again tomorrow in Game 3. Giannis still can't run or scrimmage so that's good for them too.