The Surging Bucks Face The Dwindling Pacers | Bucks vs Pacers | OSB
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
By Sam Batz
The Milwaukee Bucks make the trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, Jan. 27th for a meeting with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are struggling and will look to get their season back on track after a dreadful start to the new year. Indiana is 4-9 so far in January and enters Friday’s matchup with Milwaukee on the heels of a tough 120-126 loss to the Orlando Magic. The Bucks have had an underwhelming month, recording a 8-5 record in January thus far, and going 6-4 in their last 10 games. However, Milwaukee’s superstar power forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is back in the starting lineup after recovering from a knee injury and has provided a much needed spark to a waning Milwaukee side.
The Milwakuee Bucks are currently the 3 Seed in the East with a 31-17 record. They are just 3.5 games behind the conference leading Boston Celtics, and only 0.5 a game behind the second place Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks have now won two games in a row with Antetokounmpo back in the mix, and are coming off a statement win against the Western Conference leading Denver Nuggets. The Bucks beat the Nuggets 107-99, with Giannis recording 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists. Milwaukee will be thoroughly relieved to have Antetokounmpo back on the court, as he is truly what opponents fear when they hear Milwaukee’s “Fear The Deer” catchphrase.
The Indiana Pacers are now 24-26 after going 2-8 in their last 10 games, and find themselves as the 9 seed in the East. Unfortunately for the Pacers, unlike Milwaukee who got their talisman back, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton remains sidelined with a knee injury. Haliburton, who is leading the Pacers with 20.2 points and 10.2 assists per game, has missed the team’s last eight games due to injury. The Pacers are 2-8 without Tyrese Haliburton on the court, as backup point guard, Andrew Nembhard, has struggled to fill the gap left in his absence. Thankfully, Haliburton is reported to have participated in “non-contact” drills at practice this week, a great sign for the Pacers.
Bucks vs. Pacers Stat Comparison
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Milwaukee Bucks (31-17)
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Indiana Pacers (24-26)
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Bucks vs. Pacers Odds
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Bucks vs. Pacers Bettings Trends
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Milwaukee Bucks
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Indiana Pacers
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Bucks vs. Pacers All-Time Series
The Indiana Pacers have played the Milwaukee Bucks 203 times during the regular season, from 1976 to the present. Milwaukee has won 112 times over their 47 year history with the Pacers, while Indiana has won 91 times. The Bucks have won the last nine games against the Pacers, beating Indiana 132-119 in their most recent matchup on Jan. 16th of the current season. Milwaukee was without Giannis Antetokounmpo in their last game with the Pacers, and yet the Bucks still beat Indiana by 13 points. Now, with Giannis back in the starting lineup, and coming off a 33-point performance against the Denver Nuggets, the Pacers will certainly have their hands full trying to stop Milwaukee from scoring.
Bucks vs. Pacers Game Changers
Milwaukee Bucks
- AJ Green, MarJon Beauchamp, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are listed as Day-To-Day but are all likely to play Friday
- Bobby Portis (14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game) is Out and will miss at least two weeks
- Win-rate on the road: 50.0% (12-12)
- Win-rate against the East: 58.1% (18-13)
Indiana Pacers
- Interim starting point guard, Andrew Nembhard, is listed as Day-To-Day
- Tyrese Haliburton remains Out and will miss his eleventh game of the season
- Win-rate at home: 64.0 % (16-9)
- Win-rate against the East: 56.7% (17-13)
Prediction
I would take the Bucks over the Pacers in a straight-up moneyline wager. Milwaukee will be without Bobby Portis, who is leading the Bucks with 29 double-doubles, but are fortunate to have 6x All-Star and 2x MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, back on the floor. Giannis is averaging the fourth most points per game (31.0) and the second most rebound per game (12.0). The Greek Freak has recorded 27 double-doubles, 2 triple-doubles, and is 25-12 in the 37 games he has played this season. With Giannis back, the Bucks will be tough to beat.
The Pacers lost once to the Bucks already, and that was without Giannis. The silver lining for Indiana is they get home court advantage on Friday. Indiana is much better at home than on the road, however they have allowed 121.3 points per game to the opposition in their last 10 games. This type of questionable defending won’t be enough to stop Milwaukee, who is averaging 115.2 points in their last 10 contests, and just put up 150 against the Pistons on Monday. Milwaukee is the better team, and without Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers don’t stand a chance.
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks Moneyline and the Over.
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