Upcoming Matchup: Bucks vs. Pacers
In a noteworthy Eastern Conference matchup, the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to take on the Indiana Pacers this Friday at 8 p.m. EST in Milwaukee. Currently, the Bucks hold a 20-29 record, placing them 12th in the conference, while the Pacers are struggling with a 13-38 record, which lands them at the bottom, 15th in the Eastern standings.
Recent Performance
Milwaukee is fresh from a thrilling 141-137 overtime victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, showcasing their scoring prowess. When it comes to facing teams within their division, the Bucks have performed decently at 6-4. However, against teams with winning records, they have struggled, managing only 9 wins in 29 attempts.
On the flip side, Indiana’s performance against Central Division rivals has been disappointing, with just a 3-8 record in such matchups, and they too have had difficulty against teams over .500, posting a mere 6-29 record.
Offensive Capabilities
When analyzing their offensive capabilities, the Bucks average a notable 14.8 three-pointers made per game, surpassing the Pacers’ average of 12.6. It’s worth mentioning that Indiana concedes an average of 14.3 made three-pointers to their opponents each game, giving Milwaukee an edge in outside shooting.
Previous Encounters
This upcoming encounter will be the third clash of the season between the two teams. The previous meeting on December 24th saw Milwaukee secure a 111-94 victory, with Kevin Porter Jr. leading his team with 24 points while T.J. McConnell top-scored for the Pacers with 16 points.
Key Players
Highlighting individual performances, Ryan Rollins has emerged as a key player for the Bucks, averaging 16.8 points, alongside 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with impressive stats, averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and four assists.
In their last 10 games, the Bucks have recorded a 3-7 record, averaging 109.3 points and allowing opponents to score 119.9 points per game. The Pacers, on the other hand, have seen a slightly better outcome, holding a 4-6 record with averages of 112.4 points scored while allowing 120.1 points to their opponents.
Injuries
Injuries are plaguing both teams, with Milwaukee missing several key players: Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Bobby Portis (hip), Gary Harris (hamstring), and Taurean Prince (neck) will all be absent. The Pacers will also miss the services of Tyrese Haliburton for the season (Achilles), alongside Obi Toppin (foot). Other Pacers players like Micah Potter, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Andrew Nembhard are listed as day-to-day.
Conclusion
Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if the Bucks can build on their recent success or if the struggling Pacers can pull off an upset in Milwaukee this Friday night.
