Indiana Pacers Struggling, Can Milwaukee Bucks Build on Recent Success?
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview: Pacers Struggling, Bucks Finding Their Groove
The Indiana Pacers (6-9, 7-8 ATS, 11-4 O/U) will take on the Milwaukee Bucks (6-9, 5-9-1 ATS, 5-10 O/U) this Friday for an NBA In-Season Tournament matchup at Fiserv Forum. The game is set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Bucks enter as 5.5-point favorites, with a total of 236.5 points set for the over/under.
Indiana Pacers: Struggling to Find Consistency
The Pacers’ rollercoaster season continued on Wednesday with a lopsided 130-113 loss to the Houston Rockets. Despite shooting a solid 53 percent from the floor, Indiana’s inability to hit from beyond the arc (5-for-22, 22.7%) and a troubling 23 turnovers doomed them. Those turnovers resulted in 30 easy points for the Rockets, while Indiana also struggled on the glass, getting outrebounded 47-36 and allowing 13 offensive rebounds.
Indiana has now dropped 4 of its last 5 games, further highlighting their inconsistency. Currently, they sit in 4th place in East Group B with an 0-1 record and a negative point differential of -13 in the NBA In-Season Tournament standings.
The Pacers are ranked 18th in NET rating, with an impressive 7th in offensive rating but a troubling 24th in defensive rating. They’ve struggled defensively, allowing teams to attack the rim freely (3rd-most rim FG attempts allowed) and struggling to defend mid-range shots (23rd in opponent mid-range FG%). Indiana also ranks near the bottom in second-chance opportunities, sitting 29th in offensive rebounding and 26th in opponent offensive rebounding rate.
Offensively, the Pacers have been a high-scoring team, ranking 6th in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and 3rd in rim field goal percentage. However, their inability to get consistent stops and defend the perimeter (26th in opponent free-throw rate) continues to hinder their overall success.
Milwaukee Bucks: Are the Bucks Turning a Corner?
After a slow start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have now won 4 of their last 5 games, including a 122-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. The Bucks shot an impressive 55 percent from the field and held the Bulls to just 46 percent shooting. They dominated inside, outscoring Chicago by 20 points in the paint and outrebounding them by 12 boards. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sensational in the win, posting 41 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Milwaukee enters this game in 2nd place in East Group B, with a +14 point differential in the NBA In-Season Tournament standings and a 1-0 record. The Bucks are ranked 12th in NET rating, with 14th in offensive rating and 10th in defensive rating. Their recent form, especially on the defensive end, has been encouraging. Despite ranking only 14th in three-point shooting, Milwaukee has excelled at protecting the rim, ranking 3rd in opponent rim field goal percentage.
The Bucks are particularly strong at defending in the paint, which could be a key factor against a Pacers team that relies on scoring inside. They also do well at getting to the free-throw line (9th in FT rate), but they remain a poor offensive rebounding team (last in offensive rebounding). Milwaukee has also seen a bump in ball control, ranking 9th in turnover percentage, a sign of growth in efficiency.
Conclusion
This Friday’s game presents a stark contrast in form. The Milwaukee Bucks have found their stride, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, while the Indiana Pacers continue to battle inconsistency on both ends of the floor. With the Bucks’ defensive improvements and offensive firepower, they are poised to take control of this In-Season Tournament matchup and extend their strong play. For bettors, Milwaukee’s momentum makes them the more reliable choice, and they should cover the spread in what is expected to be a high-scoring contest.
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