The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks will square off in a pivotal Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on April 25, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, with the Pacers riding high after securing an unexpected 2-0 series lead on their home court. Indiana stunned many by not only winning both games but doing so with conviction—taking Game 1 by a 19-point margin and outlasting the Bucks in a high-paced Game 2 showdown, 123-115. Their offensive identity, built around ball movement, spacing, and up-tempo transition play, has overwhelmed a Milwaukee squad struggling to keep pace without Damian Lillard, whose absence due to injury has left a void in shot creation and perimeter playmaking. Tyrese Haliburton has been the catalyst for Indiana, carving up the Bucks’ defense with elite vision and decision-making, while Pascal Siakam’s mid-range shot creation and versatility have added an entirely different layer to the Pacers’ offense. Myles Turner’s presence in the paint on both ends has further complicated things for Milwaukee, as his rim protection has forced tough looks and limited second-chance points. Off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson have injected scoring and hustle at crucial moments, maintaining the team’s energy and extending leads when the starters rest. Defensively, Indiana has mixed schemes effectively—hedging ball screens, switching at the right times, and collapsing on Giannis Antetokounmpo in the paint to force other Bucks into uncomfortable shots. Milwaukee enters Game 3 on their heels, knowing that another loss puts them on the brink of elimination and in danger of one of the most disappointing playoff exits in recent memory. Giannis has done everything he can—pouring in points, rebounding at an elite clip, and initiating offense—but without Lillard to draw defensive attention and keep the defense honest from the perimeter, opposing defenders have been able to pack the paint and contest Giannis’s drives more aggressively. Khris Middleton has been serviceable but inconsistent, and the lack of a reliable secondary shot creator has hurt the Bucks during critical stretches.

Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis have contributed sporadically, but neither has been able to tilt the series with either interior dominance or perimeter efficiency, while the guard rotation has struggled with turnovers and foul trouble. Defensively, Milwaukee has failed to contain Indiana’s spread offense—often caught rotating late or giving up easy drives after a breakdown at the top of the key. For Game 3, the Bucks must make meaningful adjustments: slowing down the tempo, crashing the boards harder, and forcing Indiana into half-court sets where they can switch more effectively and take away passing lanes. Coach Doc Rivers may look to alter matchups or implement a more aggressive trapping scheme on Haliburton to disrupt his rhythm. More than just a must-win, this game is Milwaukee’s opportunity to reestablish their identity and prevent Indiana from running away with the series entirely. On the other hand, the Pacers are aware that while they’ve made a strong statement in Games 1 and 2, the real test begins on the road. Winning at home is one thing, but closing out a series against a championship-experienced team like Milwaukee requires another level of mental toughness and execution. Indiana’s coaching staff will emphasize staying aggressive, pushing the pace when possible, and maintaining composure when the Bucks make inevitable runs in front of their home crowd. Expect the Pacers to continue attacking mismatches, especially in pick-and-rolls where Haliburton can exploit drop coverage or dish to Turner and Siakam when doubles come. If Indiana can survive the first quarter surge and keep turnovers low, they’ll have every chance to deliver a devastating blow to the Bucks’ playoff hopes. The stakes are high, and for the Pacers, a Game 3 win doesn’t just push them closer to the second round—it announces them as a legitimate threat in the East, capable of upending the conference hierarchy with fearless basketball and elite cohesion.