Tuesday night's matchup between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks was like deja vu. It was great to see the return of Damian Lillard, but the same issues from Game 1 persisted for the Bucks as they fell to a 123-115 defeat in Game 2.
Doc Rivers slotted Lillard back into the starting lineup as expected. However, he also went with Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince, and Brook Lopez to round out the lineup again, despite how poor all three were in the first game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was dominant again, scoring 34 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists on 70 percent shooting. Bobby Portis was terrific off the bench, scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds. However, Milwaukee's lack of firepower sees them going back to Wisconsin in a 0-2 hole, and they need to win both games at Fiserv Forum if they want to stay afloat.
The starting lineup gave up 15 points in the first four minutes, but a late fourth-quarter push cut the Pacers' lead to just two points, which showed exactly what Rivers needs to do in Game 3. Believing he will do it is tough to see, though.
Bucks look better without Brook Lopez on the floor
It has been an abysmal series for Lopez so far, tallying 17 points, five rebounds and an overall +/- of -27. Offensively, he has provided no threat, and defensively, he is a liability unless he is directly under the hoop. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam have both had their way with Lopez, stretching the floor and having him switch onto the guards, the ideal matchup that any team is looking for.
Portis had a great Game 2, and Jericho Sims was again impactful in the eight minutes he played. Those two are the only Bucks players with a positive +/- in the series so far. Portis has offered a better offensive threat than Lopez, while Sims has provided the versatility and athleticism needed to guard Turner, Siakam and any of the guards he may be switched on to. Both are things that Lopez is not doing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee lost the first quarter by 10 points and the third quarter by four points. They did win the second quarter by two points and the fourth quarter by four points. Opening with the same starting lineup puts them in a hole that they can't get out of. After halftime, when they can reset and make adjustments, Rivers has put the same lineup out, putting the team even further into a hole.
Looking ahead to Game 3, hopefully, we see a bit more from Lillard, as it was a shock to see him play 37 minutes after such a long absence. Giannis spoke after the game and knows what he has to do, and we know he will do all he can to help the team win. However, they may need even more. Perhaps that comes from taking Lopez out of the starting five altogether to start games faster.
Rivers has to see the issues as they are staring Bucks fans and basketball fans in the face. The eye test has shown that the starting five doesn't work, and the stats back it up. Lopez, Prince, Giannis and Kuzma are all over -27 for their +/- in the series. If Doc Rivers can't see that, then the Bucks genuinely have no hope of advancing.
They can't afford to even drop one of these home games. Indiana has been great and is full of confidence. Everyone is hitting shots, and Rick Carlisle has had an easy job coaching so far. Milwaukee needs to go into game three and make it uncomfortable for the Pacers.
The Milwaukee Bucks need to send a message. That starts on the sidelines with Doc Rivers. Whether he takes Lopez out of the starting five or cuts his minutes significantly, he needs to do something.