Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions April 27th 2025

Bucks Look to Tie Series With Pacers Behind Red-Hot Gary Trent Jr.

The NBA playoffs are often described as a marathon rather than a sprint. A team can find itself down, momentum slipping away, only to be rejuvenated by a single inspired performance. For the Milwaukee Bucks, that moment arrived on Friday night, thanks to a fiery performance from Gary Trent Jr.

After a dominating 117-101 win over the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks now find themselves with a golden opportunity to tie their first-round series at two games apiece when they host Game 4 Sunday night at Fiserv Forum. In a playoff landscape filled with uncertainty, Milwaukee is leaning heavily on the momentum provided by Trent’s unforgettable outing.

Fans tracking every playoff twist can find real-time odds and expert analysis on NBA Picks and Odds at Scores and Stats.

Gary Trent Jr.: Shooting His Way Into Bucks History

Some performances are simply meant to be savored, and Gary Trent Jr.’s Game 3 explosion is one for the history books. Starting in place of Taurean Prince, Trent poured in 37 points and drilled nine three-pointers, tying the franchise playoff record previously held by Ray Allen, a Bucks and NBA legend.

“It’s really a blessing,” Trent said, reflecting on his night. “A testament to my hard work and everything I put into it. Big fan of Ray Allen as a kid. Watched him accomplish great things as a Buck, as a Celtic. I just followed his career. The way he shot the basketball. So, to be a name in that group, around him or near him as a shooter is a great thing. A blessing.”

Trent wasn’t just scoring in volume; he was scoring efficiently, demoralizing Indiana’s defense with deep range and quick releases. Every swish seemed to suck a little more life out of the Pacers, who until that point had controlled much of the series’ tempo.

For the Bucks, who have battled adversity all season with injuries and roster changes, seeing Trent rise to the occasion provided a much-needed emotional lift.

Doc Rivers: Keeping Things in Perspective

As Milwaukee celebrated, veteran coach Doc Rivers was quick to temper the excitement.

“They’re not going away,” Rivers said of the Pacers, firmly reminding his team and the media alike that a single win, no matter how impressive, does not define a series. “We just can’t relent. We’ve won one game. I guess you can make a case after three games, this is the closest the series can possibly be. If you guys know your math, you can figure that one out on your own. So, nothing’s happened yet. We got to do it again.”

Rivers’ focus now is ensuring that Milwaukee channels its momentum into consistency. One hot shooting night won’t be enough if the Bucks hope to reclaim control of the series.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo: Quiet Dominance

Lost somewhat in the postgame euphoria was another spectacular showing by Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP matched Trent’s 37 points and hauled in 14 rebounds, maintaining his series averages of 35.7 points and 14.0 boards per game.

Giannis’ dominance inside continues to be Milwaukee’s steadying force. His relentless attacks at the rim forced Indiana into foul trouble early, creating opportunities for Trent and others to capitalize from beyond the arc.

If the Bucks are to complete their comeback and eventually move past Indiana, it will be behind the steady brilliance of Antetokounmpo — complemented by timely explosions from players like Trent.

Damian Lillard: Searching for Rhythm

While Milwaukee celebrated Trent’s breakout and Giannis’ steadiness, concerns linger regarding Damian Lillard.

Lillard finished Game 3 with just seven points on 1-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. His trademark range and off-the-dribble creativity have been muted since his return from a month-long absence battling deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.

“Having so much time off, sometimes your rhythm and your timing, things can feel good but it’s a work in progress,” Lillard admitted after the game. “It’s just a mental battle. You got to keep finding a way to impact the game. That was my focus was to help find a way to win.”

To Lillard’s credit, he impacted the game defensively, recording two steals and two blocks — a rare stat line for the high-scoring guard. But Milwaukee knows that to reach its full potential, it needs Lillard’s offensive spark back in full.

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Indiana Pacers: Adjustments Required

On the other side, the Pacers are grappling with the realities of playoff basketball: momentum is fleeting, and minor lapses can snowball into devastating losses.

Indiana’s third-quarter collapse — being outscored 39-18 — swung the game dramatically in Milwaukee’s favor.

“A game can turn very quickly in the playoffs,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “And in the third quarter, some mistakes at both ends at the wrong time ignited their run. We’ve got to eliminate those.”

Indiana got strong performances from Pascal Siakam (28 points, 12-of-19 shooting) and Aaron Nesmith (18 points), but they’ll need more from star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with 14 quiet points, much of which came after the game was decided.

Haliburton himself was blunt in his postgame assessment.

“I feel like we’ve just got to do a better job getting downhill and staying aggressive,” Haliburton said. “I think any time you get to the paint and they rotate, I like our chances. We’ve got to do a better job of playing downhill, playing faster, and that starts with me. I’ll be better in Game 4.”

Looking Ahead to Game 4

As the series resumes Sunday, both teams face pivotal questions.

For Milwaukee, the challenge is sustaining the energy and shooting precision that fueled their Game 3 victory. Giannis must continue his dominance, but they’ll need more from Lillard — and continued support from their role players — if they want to tie the series and shift the pressure back onto Indiana.

For Indiana, the goal is simple: regroup, refocus, and reignite the fast-paced, aggressive offense that defined their success early in the series. Carlisle is a master tactician; expect adjustments aimed at preventing another Bucks avalanche.

Fans eager for more playoff breakdowns, including future matchup previews and championship odds updates, should visit the NBA Championship Odds section on Scores and Stats.

Conclusion: Sunday Night Fever

The NBA playoffs always find a way to deliver unforgettable storylines, and this Bucks-Pacers series is shaping up to be a classic.

Will Gary Trent Jr. replicate his Game 3 magic? Will Damian Lillard rediscover his scoring touch? Will Tyrese Haliburton bounce back and reassert his All-Star caliber leadership?

Sunday night holds all the answers — and if Game 3 taught us anything, it’s that in the playoffs, one player’s eruption can change everything.

Get ready, Milwaukee. Get ready, Indiana. Game 4 is set to be a battle for momentum, survival, and belief.