The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers officially have a rivalry

Tensions between the Bucks and Pacers came to a head over a game ball, of all things. After Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points in the Bucks' 140-126 win on Wednesday, he rushed toward the Pacers locker room in search of the game ball. The Greek Freak, along with several Bucks teammates, got into a "fracas" in the hallway, during which one of the Bucks bruised the ribs of Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan.

It turned out there were two game balls, one of which Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had taken for Oscar Tshwiebe, who scored his first official NBA point Wednesday night. The primary game ball had already been collected by a staffer - for the Bucks.

Is this silly? Yes, but it's a sign of how much genuine animosity has developed between the two teams, who played in the semifinals of the in-season tournament six days earlier. The Pacers upset the Bucks 128-119 in that game, with Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton celebrating by doing the signature "Dame Time" move of Milwaukee's Damian Lillard.

Perhaps that's why there was so much tension in the rematch. First, Antetokounmpo drilled Haliburton with a forearm after he went coast-to-coast for a dunk.

Later. Antetokounmpo got tangled up with Indiana's Aaron Nesmith, and players had to be held back – especially Giannis' brother Thanasis.

In the nearly 50 years that the Pacers and Bucks have been in the NBA, they've met in the playoffs only twice, after the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. Despite their geographic proximity – Milwaukee to Indianapolis is about a five-hour drive – there's been very little rivalry between the two teams over the years.

Now, they've got bad blood to spare. They could easily meet in the first round of the playoffs, which would be appointment television. Even if you're just watching the game ball.