Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers look for consecutive wins over Milwaukee Bucks for first time since 2017-18
The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks wrap up their season series tonight in Indianapolis. The Bucks won two of the three prior meetings, but the Pacers were victorious in the most recent duel.
Milwaukee has the best record in the NBA and has won seven of their last 10 games. Indiana has tumbled a bit due to injuries recently and has gone 4-6 in their last 10 outings with young players getting more minutes.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Wisconsin
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are heavy underdogs as they are +11.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 238.5.
Pacers vs Bucks Injury Report
For the Pacers, wing Kendall Brown (right tibia stress fracture), wing Chris Duarte (left ankle soreness), guard Buddy Hield (non-COVID illness), and guard Tyrese Haliburton (right ankle sprain/left ankle soreness) are out. Center Myles Turner (left ankle soreness) is questionable. Guard Trevelin Queen is questionable as a part of his two-way contract, though the Fort Wayne Mad Ants season ended last night.
For the Bucks, Jae Crowder and Meyers Leonard are out. Joe Ingles and Khris Middleton are questionable. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Goran Dragic are probable.
Key Matchups
Jordan Nwora vs Giannis Antetokounmpo: Due to the many absences the Pacers have faced recently, former Buck Jordan Nwora has been starting for the blue and gold. He has been impressive on offense, averaging 12.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on solid efficiency.
All that said, his defense will be vital tonight. He will likely have at least some possessions defending MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is almost impossible to slow down. Nwora, and the rest of the Pacers involved in the team effort that is stopping the Greek Freak, will need to be dialed in defensively.
Andrew Nembhard vs Jrue Holiday: Jrue Holiday is one of the best two-way point guards in the NBA, and he was rightly named an All-Star for his play this season. He is a critical part of the Bucks success.
Nembhard is an emerging two-way point guard for the blue and gold, and he is getting plenty of reps at the lead ball handler spot of late. Going against Holiday will be an opportunity to both hone his skills and also to help the Pacers try to win.
- One-on-one with Fort Wayne Mad Ants guard and former top-10 pick Elfrid Payton. CLICK HERE.
- Jordan Nwora sets Indiana Pacers regular season franchise record for points in one quarter with 25. CLICK HERE.
- Rick Carlisle on the Indiana Pacers stretch run: 'Guys are learning and they are finding out what it's about'. CLICK HERE.
- Cleveland Cavaliers clinch playoff berth, will officially send first-round draft pick to Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
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