Bucks Seek Consistency, Pacers Aim to Bounce Back from Injury Woes
Bucks vs Pacers: December 31, 2024
The Milwaukee Bucks will look to close out 2024 on a positive note as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers in a New Year’s Eve showdown. Both teams have faced their share of struggles this season, but recent performances offer hope for a competitive game. This matchup is a rematch of their first-round playoff series from last year, and with both teams sitting under .500, they’ll be eager to snap out of their respective slumps. Tip-off for the game is set for 3:10 PM EST.
Milwaukee Bucks: Seeking Consistency Amid Injuries
The Milwaukee Bucks have battled inconsistency throughout the 2024 season. Despite a strong start, they enter this game with a middling 16-14 record. After winning the second-ever NBA Cup earlier this season, the Bucks have struggled to find their rhythm. They are just 5-5 over their last ten games, with their most recent loss coming on Saturday night in a 116-111 defeat to the Chicago Bulls. Milwaukee has also dropped two straight games and three of their last five.
The Bucks have been missing their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out the last four games with an illness. However, the return of Damian Lillard from a hamstring injury has provided a much-needed boost. Lillard posted 29 points and 12 assists in the loss to Chicago, with 18 of those points coming in the second half. Brook Lopez (22 points) and Khris Middleton (21 points) also stepped up, though Middleton is still under a minutes restriction while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
Milwaukee hopes to have Antetokounmpo back for this game, which could help provide the stability they’ve lacked in recent weeks. The Bucks rank 18th in scoring (112.2 PPG), but they have been impressive from the field, ranking 8th in field goal percentage and 2nd in three-point shooting. They make 14.7 three-pointers per game (7th in the league) at a solid 37.1% clip (13th). Defensively, the Bucks have been solid, ranking 9th in scoring defense (110.1 PPG) and 4th in field goal defense (45.4%). However, they rank just 25th in forced turnovers, which has hurt their overall defensive efficiency.
Indiana Pacers: Aiming to Break Even After Injury Woes
The Indiana Pacers have faced a season of highs and lows, sitting just below .500 with a 16-17 record. After a thrilling run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Pacers had high hopes coming into 2024, but injuries have taken a toll. Despite their struggles, the Pacers are on an upswing, winning seven of their last ten games.
Indiana comes off a massive 123-114 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 31 points, and Andrew Nembhard, back from injury, contributed 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in the win. The Pacers dominated inside, outscoring the Celtics 66-48 in points in the paint.
Offensively, the Pacers are ranked 10th in the league in scoring (116.3 PPG) and 4th in field goal percentage (48.4%). They’ve also been efficient from three-point range, ranking 9th with 36.7% shooting. However, their defense has been inconsistent, with the Pacers sitting 22nd in scoring defense (116.0 PPG allowed) and 23rd in field goal defense (47.2%). Their struggles on the defensive end have also contributed to a bottom-tier ranking in rebounds, sitting 29th in total rebounds per game.
Conclusion
This game is a battle between two teams that have shown flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. If the Bucks can control the paint and limit turnovers, they should be able to secure the win. On the other hand, the Pacers will need to continue their strong offensive play and tighten up defensively to compete with the star-studded Bucks lineup. As both teams look to end 2024 on a high note, expect an exciting, high-energy matchup.
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