Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been sensational offensively in the NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers. Despite his scoring outbursts, however, it’s hard not to notice one glaring trend about his production.

Apr 21, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Lillard has scored 30-plus points in each of the two games the Bucks played against the Pacers, which they split 1-1. But it’s worth noting that most of Lillard’s points came in the first half.

Damian Lillard’s Concerning Scoring Trend With Milwaukee Bucks

Apr 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) in the first half during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
In the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lillard exploded for 35 points in their Game 1 victory against the Pacers, 109-94. Then in Game 2, he followed it up with a 34-point outing, albeit with a different result as Milwaukee suffered a 125-108 drubbing.

What’s noteworthy, though, is that of the combined 69 points Lillard scored so far, 61 of those came in the first half. Yes, that’s right, he has scored just eight points in the second half through two outings.

In Game 1, all of his 35 points came in the first half as the Bucks built an insurmountable 27-point lead at halftime. In Game 2, he had 26 at the half but ended up with just eight in the second quarter, leaving Milwaukee with no chance at all to counter what Indiana threw at them.

Lillard is now a combined 3-of-14 in the second half in games played in the series, which is definitely a problem and something the Bucks will have to resolve as a team.
Apr 7, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up during shoot around before their game against the New York Knicks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
With Antetokoumpo out, the Bucks need Lillard to play a complete game without slowing down. If they can’t build a massive lead like they did in Game 1 and have the Pacers play catch-up, Lillard’s scoring trend is going to be a big problem like how it was in Game 2.

As the series shifts to Indiana, it’s going to be even more difficult for them.

Damian Lillard Explains Scoring Dip in 2ndf Half for Milwaukee Bucks

Apr 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) in the second half during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
For what it’s worth, Damian Lillard is well aware of his scoring problem in the second half with the Milwaukee Bucks. When asked about it in his postgame presser after their Tuesday loss, Dame Time explained that the Indiana Pacers’ defense is to credit for his struggles.

“I think they just picked up the pressure. They started to face guard and deny a little bit harder. And I just think we weren’t as organized as we needed to be when they defended that way,” Lillard shared, per Gabe Stoltz of Brew Hoop.

Lillard added that their offense struggle when the Pacers buckle up defensively, with their spacing and pace suffering. He then urged the Bucks to be more focused when that happens.

“You gotta be able to execute through that, even when you’re tired. Even when a team is turning up the pressure, the physicality … And we struggled a little bit with that tonight. I think because of it our shot quality was low and against a team like this, you know they want to get the ball out and run, get up and get quick shots up.”

He added, “They play at an extremely high pace and I just thought the areas that we struggled in offensively really hurt our defense out there tonight. Just get out and play the way they’re comfortable and the way they wanna play and I think it showed when they kind of just jumped out and took that lead.”

It remains to be seen what adjustments the Bucks will make in Game 3, but there’s no denying that Lillard will be the key to it.

Apr 7, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) puts up a shot against New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

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