Damian Lillard can't return soon enough after Bucks' rough Game 1

He'll provide immediate relief for a team that can't afford to lose much more ground in the best-of-seven series. In 58 games this season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting, including 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Indiana had a clear defensive strategy in Game 1, comfortably allowing Antetokounmpo to take threes and mid-range jumpers but quick to foul when he got in the paint. It worked, with Antetokounmpo missing more free throws (six) than he made (five) in the first half.

The Bucks lack the offensive firepower without Lillard to keep up with the Pacers in a series format. He'll give them a better chance of going blow-for-blow with last year's Eastern Conference runner-up.

Antetokounmpo has been a nightmare for the Pacers in recent years. Over his last 15 games against Indiana entering Saturday, Antetokounmpo averaged 36.1 points and 12.6 rebounds per game on 66.1 percent shooting. (h/t Stathead)

As good as Antetokounmpo has been against the Pacers, he won't be able to advance the Bucks to the East semis alone. The Bucks need Lillard, whose pending return could be Milwaukee's only hope of making Game 1 an aberration.