Bucks vs. Pacers: Khris Middleton returns after injury scare with ankle

The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers are back at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in the NBA playoffs.

The Bucks have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Game 1 with a calf injury, but Milwaukee's defense limited Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton to just seven shots. The Bucks got star performances from Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton.

More: They didn't play in Game 1, but these young Bucks players helped get team ready for Pacers

Follow along for live updates from Fiserv Forum:

Damian Lillard starts hot again and Khris Middleton comes back after ankle injury scare

Damian Lillard had another strong start in the playoffs, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. He had 19 in the first quarter of Game 1.

But Pascal Siakam had nine points and four rebounds as the Indiana Pacers took a 30-26 lead.

Milwaukee had a brief injury scare. Bucks forward Khris Middleon hurt his right ankle going after a loose ball. He hobbled through a few possessions, but headed for the locker room after getting subbed out with 6:21 left in the first quarter.

He came back to the bench and checked back into the game with 2:22 remaining.

Middleton missed 16 games with a left ankle injury during the regular season.

Bucks vs Pacers box score in NBA playoffs

What channel is Bucks vs Pacers on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: (Bally Sports Wisconsin; NBA TV)

• Stream: You can stream the game on the Bally Sports Wisconsin and NBA apps

• Announcers: Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks for Bally Sports Wisconsin and Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson and Dennis Scott for NBA TV.

Bucks vs Pacers start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 7:30 p.m. CDT

• TV info: Bally Sports Wisconsin and NBA TV

• Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Is Giannis playing tonight?

Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as doubtful on Monday's injury report with a left soleus strain in his calf, but then was downgraded to out in the update on Tuesday afternoon.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers gave a brief update on Antetokounmpo in Rivers' pregame availability.

“He shot today," Rivers said. "He was on the floor a bunch, so he’s getting closer.”

Bucks record without Giannis

• 1-0 in the 2024 playoffs after Sunday’s win. Over his career, the Bucks are 4-2 in playoff games he misses.

• 4-5 in the 2023-24 regular season

Bucks probable starting lineup

Guards: Damian Lillard, Pat Beverley

Forwards: Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis

Center: Brook Lopez

Bucks vs Pacers preview

Bucks: Damian Lillard scored 35 points in the first half of Game 1, a Bucks record for a half in the playoffs. Lillard and Khris Middleton (23 points and 10 rebounds) will look to carry the offense again.

Pacers: Indiana expects a more aggressive game from star guard Tyrese Haliburton, an Oshkosh native. The Pacers should also shoot better than their Game 1 performance of 8 for 39 (20.5%) on three-pointers.

Bucks vs Pacers odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM.

• Spread: Bucks -1

• Over/under: 223.5

• Moneyline: Pacers -105; Bucks -115

Bucks vs Pacers prediction, game picks

Pacers 110, Bucks 103: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is known to make adjustments during a playoff series, and he'll also get a much better performance from Tyrese Halliburton.

Bucks vs Pacers injury report

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left soleus strain)

Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, out (right shoulder labral tear)

Bucks vs Pacers stats

Bucks (regular season)

• PPG: 119.0

• PPG allowed: 116.4

• FG%: 48.7

• 3PT%: 37.3

Pacers (regular season)

• PPG: 123.3

• PPG allowed: 120.2

• FG%: 50.7

• 3PT%: 37.4

Bucks vs Pacers NBA playoffs schedule

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Bucks in Game 2 vs. Pacers