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Bucks' Lillard set to return for Game 2 against Pacers

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2 daysBasketball

The Milwaukee Bucks will receive a significant boost as they look to even their first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers.

Damian Lillard will return on Tuesday after being sidelined since mid-March due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, according to multiple reports.

Lillard last played on March 18 after being diagnosed with the blood clot, but is no longer taking blood-thinning medication and has been a full participant in practice since last Thursday.

His return should give Milwaukee's offence more versatility after the Bucks shot just 24.3% on 3-pointers (9-of 37) in Saturday's 117-98 loss at Indiana in their playoff opener.

Lillard averaged 3.4 successful 3-pointers per game during the regular season - the seventh-highest rate in the NBA.

Selected to his ninth All-Star Game this season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists - both 10th in the NBA - to go with 4.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.21 steals in 58 games.

His return should also help take some of the offensive pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting (60.9%) in Game 1, but had little help from his team-mates.

The rest of Milwaukee's starting five totalled 14 points on 5-of-20 shooting (25%).