The Milwaukee Bucks are set to gain a crucial advantage as they aim to level their first-round play-off series against the Indiana Pacers.
Damian Lillard is expected to return on Tuesday after being out since mid-March due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. Reports indicate that Lillard, who last played on March 18, has stopped taking blood-thinning medication and has been fully participating in practice since last Thursday.
His comeback is anticipated to enhance Milwaukee’s offensive strategy, especially after the team struggled with three-point shooting in their 117-98 loss to Indiana during the play-off opener. The Bucks managed only 24.3% from beyond the arc, hitting just 9 of their 37 attempts. Lillard’s presence could improve this aspect significantly, considering he averaged 3.4 successful three-pointers per game during the regular season, ranking seventh in the NBA.
Lillard’s return is also expected to alleviate some of the scoring burden from Giannis Antetokounmpo. In Game 1, Antetokounmpo scored 36 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 60.9%. However, he received minimal support from his teammates, as the rest of Milwaukee’s starting lineup combined for only 14 points on a mere 25% shooting accuracy.
Throughout this season, Lillard has been selected for his ninth All-Star Game and has maintained strong performance metrics. He averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game, placing him tenth in both categories across the league. Additionally, he contributed an average of 4.7 rebounds and achieved a career-high of 1.21 steals over 58 games.
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Lillard’s ability to contribute significantly on both ends of the court should provide a much-needed boost for the Bucks as they seek to even the series against Indiana. His experience and skill set are likely to be pivotal in enhancing team performance and providing strategic depth.