What to know as the Pacers start the 2025 NBA playoffs

What they're saying: "Maybe there could be a sense of just being comfortable because you're home, but you can't have that. It's the first game. You have to be able to protect home court," Pacers All-Star Pascal Siakam said this week. "We worked hard all season to get it. We don't want to give it away."

Driving the news: After not meeting in the playoffs for 24 years prior to last season, the Pacers and Bucks are now first-round opponents for the second straight year.

Flashback: The Pacers had a 1-3 record against the Bucks during the regular season.

• The opening round of the 2024 playoffs saw the No. 6 Pacers eliminate the No. 3 Bucks in six games.

Zoom in: Milwaukee is coming in hot having won the last eight games of the regular season. But they will play Game 1 without All-Star Damian Lillard.

• The Pacers' starting five is fully healthy. Health problems plagued the team throughout the 2024 postseason.

The intrigue: Battling back from injury motivates sixth-man Bennedict Mathurin.

• The third-year Pacer makes his postseason debut this year after a shoulder injury sidelined him last season.
• "This is the moment I used to dream of my whole life," he said. "Everything I wished I could have done last year I can do now. I'm grateful to go out there with my team."

How to watch: The series tips off at 1pm Saturday on ESPN.

How to listen: 93.5/107.5 The Fan.

If you go: Tickets start at $52.