Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Preview: The rivalry reignites

2024 NBA Playoffs - Milwaukee Bucks v Indiana Pacers — Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

The Bucks attempt to make life worse for the wounded Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks will lock horns with their Midwest rival, the Indiana Pacers, for the first time this season as they try to get to five wins out of their last six games. The game is Milwaukee’s second Emirates Cup game. Of course, there is history between these two teams, given all the regular-season shenanigans along with the Pacers winning last year’s first-round playoff series.

Where We’re At

Milwaukee is in its best stretch of the young season as the schedule has eased up. they backed up a frustrating loss to the Charlotte Hornets with a gutsy one-point win over the in-form Houston Rockets, and then exorcised their Chicago demons, beating the Bulls by sixteenth on Wednesday night. Cleaning the Glass has the Bucks up to eighteenth in defensive efficiency on the season. Progress.

Indiana, on the other hand, is in the midst of a rough patch, losers of five of their last seven games. After gutting out an impressive win against the Miami Heat, Indy proceeded to drop games to the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets. The Pacers rank sixteenth in offence (one spot ahead of the Bucks) and a surprising 26^th in defence per Cleaning the Glass. This means if the Bucks execute, they should be able to get the shots they want.

Injury Report

Milwaukee’s injury report remains stable. Giannis is listed as probable (right patella tendinopathy), while Khris Middleton (bilateral ankle surgery) and Ryan Rollins (left shoulder dislocation) are out.

On the other hand, Indiana’s injury report is lengthy. Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman are both out for the season with torn Achilles, while Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith will both miss as well. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker are questionable.

Player To Watch

Tyrese Haliburton has had as rough a start to the season as you can get. His counting stats this season are in line with his career averages, but his percentages have dipped significantly. Haliburton is shooting 37% from the field (down from 47%) and 28% from three (down from 38%). There has been some talk that he’s dealing with a back problem, but he does not appear on the injury report.

How To Watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 PM Central.

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