INDIANAPOLIS — There’s nothing like Pacers Playoff basketball. After last season’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the time has finally arrived for the blue and gold to play on the biggest stage once again. The drama and intrigue will begin immediately, as Indy’s first round opponent will be a rematch with the Milwaukee Bucks. Let’s dive in to the keys, main story-lines, and predictions for this highly anticipated series.

Advantages for the Pacers:

•Home-court advantage: It’s built right into the name. We saw how important playing in Indy was last season for the Pacers. They went 6-0 on their home court in the first two rounds, and then took the Celtics down to the wire in two home games without Tyrese Haliburton. This season, they’ve gone 13-1 in their last 14 home games that mattered. And they simply find ways to win in front of their home fans. When you get four home games compared to three, it also means you only have to steal one on the road if you do drop one on your home court in the series. For this team, playing at home has meant more.

•The Transition Game: We know the Pacers like to run. They need to get stops and rebound in order to do so. This season, the Milwaukee Bucks were dead last in the NBA in offensive rebounding. If that trend continues in this series, the Pacers will be able to get out and do what they do best. Milwaukee also gives up a lot of transition points. The Pacers need to use their depth and speed to their advantage if they want to advance.

Advantages for the Bucks:

•The “Greek Freak”: Typically, when you have the best player on the court, you win a 7-game series. That theory will be put to the test in this match-up. The Pacers didn’t see Giannis Antetokounmpo in last year’s series, and the Bucks star is capable of dominating a series by himself. Will he get enough help? Or will he have to put up 40/15 kind of numbers on a nightly basis for Milwaukee to win four games over a talented Pacers team?

•Revenge on the mind: Make no mistake about it, the Pacers have a ton of motivation in this series as well. The mission all season for Indiana has been to show the world that last year wasn’t a fluke run. The Bucks, however, have some redemption on their mind after losing to Indiana last season. The national media is a little split for this series, but more experts are picking the Pacers.

Key story-lines to watch:

•The pending return of Dame Lillard: First and foremost, it is incredible news to hear that Lillard is now healthy. It will be interesting to see if and when he can get back on the court for this series. He has already been ruled out for Game 1, and it would be quite a surprise if he played in Game 2. Would Game 3 back in Milwaukee give him enough time? And after missing over a month with very limited action, will he be ready or rusty when he does return? Could it actually hurt Milwaukee, or will his presence open things up for a dangerous Bucks team?

•The chess match: One of the most intriguing things about a long playoff series- the adjustments each team will make. Will the Pacers shrink their rotation a little bit? Will they play small? Will they throw different looks at Giannis? How much zone will the Bucks play? Rick Carlisle and Doc Rivers have been doing this for decades. These coaches will have a lot to say about how this series ends up with the adjustments they do (or don’t) make.

PREDICTION:

I think this will be a deep series with a lot of twists and turns. Both teams are different from last year. Both teams are better than last year. Both teams have the ability to win this series and go on a deep run. Because of the uncertainty of Dame Lillard and the home court advantage for the Pacers, I’m going with the Pacers in 7.

Check out this “Locked on Pacers” episode, where we take a deep dive on this series ahead: