The first round of the playoffs is full of two groups! The Bucks and Pacers meet again as the Knicks take on the Dark Horse Pistons

On April 12, Beijing time, as the Bucks defeated the Pistons and the Pacers lost to the Magic, the two groups of matchups in the Eastern Conference playoffs have been released. The Knicks locked up the No. 3 spot in the East and will play the Pistons, who locked in No. 6 in the East, while the Pacers, who are No. 4 in the East, will play the Bucks, who are No. 5 in the East.

Knicks vs Pistons

The Knicks face off against the Pistons, Brunson and Cunningham, two All-Star guards. In the four meetings this season, the Knicks are 1-3. The Pistons can be called the dark horse in the East this season, they were still at the bottom last season, and their strength has improved significantly this season, and it is not impossible to get on the next gram.

In terms of inside matchups, there will also be a fierce showdown between Downs and Duren.

In previous playoff history, the Knicks and Pistons have met three times, and the Knicks have won twice. The last playoff meeting between the two teams was in 1992. At that time, the two teams met in the first round (still a best-of-5 system), and the Knicks eliminated the Pistons 3-2 to advance.

Pacers vs Bucks

The Bucks and Pacers met in the first round for the second year in a row, but the difference from last season was that it was the Pacers who had the home court advantage, and they became the side with home court advantage. Although the Bucks had home-court advantage last season, they still lost 2-4 to the Pacers in the first round, and Brother Alphabet missed the game due to injury, which affected the Bucks' combat effectiveness.

In previous playoff history, the Bucks and Pacers have met three times, and the Pacers have won. In addition to the 2024 playoffs, the other two meetings were in 1999 and 2000, both in the first round.

Now, Antetokounmpo is expected to be healthy for the playoffs this season, but Lillard's condition is unclear after missing multiple games due to deep vein thrombosis issues and is still recovering.

There is also some old feud between Brother Alphabet and Haliburton, and the two have caused heated discussions in the league for the game ball. Now that the duo meet again in the first round of the playoffs, who will make it to the second round?

In the regular season this season, the Pacers and Bucks have faced each other four times, and the Bucks have a 3-1 advantage.