Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking potential Eastern Conference playoff matchups

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 07, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 07, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 13: (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 13: (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers play the Bucks as good as, if not better than, any team in the league, despite having a roster that doesn’t exactly intimidate on paper.

They play physical defense against Antetokounmpo, and can frustrate him at times with constantly touching and grabbing (whether a foul is called is another issue, and actually a good reason why Indiana has had success).

Domantas Sabonis is an X-factor, but as much as he used to feast on Thon Maker, John Henson, and other previous Milwaukee bigs, he may not be as lethal in the paint against a rotation of Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Mirotic, Pau Gasol, and Ersan Ilyasova.

With all of that being said, Victor Oladipo being injured severely hampers the Pacers, and in all likelihood will ultimately limit how far Indiana can advance.

Projected Series Result: 4-2 Bucks