Carlisle on Playoffs: “This Is A Different Kind of Challenge”

The Pacers are getting ready for their first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks with Game 1 on Saturday and head coach Rick Carlisle joined the show on Tuesday to discuss not only the playoff opponent but the incredible come-from-behind win in Game 82 with backups and how they prep for Milwaukee.

This is a different type of challenge because we’ve got home court, so we have to protect it. It’s a privilege and it doesn’t guarantee anything. We’ve got to play with an edge and an energy to keep our fans engaged the whole time. – Rick Carlisle on this year’s postseason being different for the Pacers

Carlisle also discussed the oft used saying of “playoff basketball is different” and whether that’s truly the case, how they plan to try and slow down Giannis in the series and why a few times this season he’s gone with early timeouts in quarters.

There’s going to be a lot of adjusting back and forth. A guy like Giannis, he’s as good as anyone against double teams. A guy like that averaging thirteen assists a game over a stretch of must-win games, that’s impressive. – Rick Carlisle on Giannis Antetokounmpo being a tough guy to match-up against

For the full conversation with Rick Carlilse, including his personal experience at The Masters and how Tyrese Haliburton can challenge himself in the playoffs, click the link below!