Pacers-Bucks Round 1 preview with Jim Owczarski

On this episode of the Fieldhouse Files podcast, the Pacers won 50 regular-season games to earn the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference and face the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 1 for the second straight year. Bucks beat writer Jim Owczarski joins to preview the series.

Among the items discussed on this episode:

• My opening thoughts on the series, which gets the playoffs started

• Gold Out, players in white, Adam Silver to be in the building, and a special ESPN pairing for Game 1

• Should be a healthy Pacers team, with Ben Sheppard being the one exception

• Homecourt advantage — and can the Pacers take Game 1?

• 12:00 Status of the Bucks entering the postseason

• 14:43 Health status of Damian Lillard — and whether a return is realistic

• 22:25 How’s the rest of the team’s health?

• 23:33 Enlightening conversation on Bobby Portis, who’s dealt with a lot this season

• 28:40 On Giannis Antetokounmpo playing his best basketball, and the development of his mid-range game

• 35:15 Bucks changes from last year — and a couple players who will have an influence on the series

REMINDER: I will be hosting a live postgame show on YouTube after every Pacers playoff game.

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