Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly anticipated to overlook begin of Bucks-Pacers sequence

The Milwaukee Bucks are bracing to be with out their two-time MVP when postseason play opens up this weekend. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo is predicted to be out for the beginning of the Bucks’ first-round sequence towards the Indiana Pacers as a consequence of a left calf pressure, ESPN reported Tuesday. The eight-time All-Star ahead may return later within the sequence, with the crew holding optimism that continued remedy might need him able to play by then, ESPN added in its report.

Antetokounmpo suffered the calf harm within the Bucks’ win over the Boston Celtics on April 9, falling down as he was working up the courtroom to get on offense. As he grabbed his calf, Antetokounmpo left the sport after being tended to. An MRI later revealed that he averted Achilles injury, however suffered a soleus pressure, The Athletic reported.

Because of this, the Bucks had been with out Antetokounmpo for his or her last three video games of the common season. Milwaukee went 1-2, falling from the No. 2 seed within the Japanese Convention to the third seed.

As of Monday, at DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bucks’ odds of defeating the Pacers within the opening spherical of the playoffs had been at -180. These odds have lengthened to -135 as of Tuesday afternoon. The Pacers’ odds of defeating the Bucks shortened from +145 to +110.

As well as, whereas the shortest odds for the precise end result of the sequence is Bucks 4-3 (+290), the second-shortest odds are actually Pacers 4-2 (+400). 

On Monday, the Bucks successful 4-1 and the Bucks successful 4-2 had been tied for the second-shortest odds (+475). The Pacers successful 4-2 was at +550, the fourth-shortest odds.

Antetokounmpo’s harm was simply one of many handful of unhealthy developments to happen for the Bucks within the last weeks of the common season. They went 3-8 with their last 11 video games, together with losses to the lowly Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. They’re 17-19 since Doc Rivers turned their head coach.

Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo had an MVP candidate-worthy season. He scored 30.4 factors per recreation on a career-best 61% capturing from the sector, including 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per recreation.

However the Bucks face the potential for being upset within the opening spherical of the postseason once more. After dropping to the Miami Warmth because the No. 1 seed final 12 months, the Bucks tackle a sixth-seeded Pacers squad that received 4 of the 5 matchups between the 2 groups this season.