This is the first meeting between the Bucks and the Pacers this season. Milwaukee won the head-to-head series last year, 3-1.
The Bucks are currently second in the East with a 12-8 record, fresh off a dominating 134-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his squad hardly broke a sweat as they took command in the opening quarter and went on to lead as many as 39 points in the lopsided contest. The Bucks shot a blistering 21-of-42 from deep to secure the win and stop their two-game skid.
''Obviously we really, really needed this win really, really bad,'’ said Bucks big man Bobby Portis, who scored 21 points. ''We didn't want to drop three in a row. Us getting this win tonight was big.''
The Bucks are looking to carry their hot shooting against the formidable Pacers, who are looking to arrest their two-game slide.
Their previous loss was a particularly frustrating one for the Indiana ball club. The Pacers were ahead by 16 points early in the final frame before the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers managed to pull out a 119-100 victory.
The Pacers mustered only six points in the final eight minutes of the game while allowing their opponent to drop 31 points.
''It's really about not getting stops. That's the most frustrating thing,” said Malcolm Brogdon, who finished with 25 points. "I just think we didn't get stops.’’
The loss obviously left a bitter taste in the mouth for the Pacers, but they will have the chance to bounce back against the Bucks.
Another game worth noting is the battle between the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks (8:30 AM on NBA TV Philippines), who are powered by two of the NBA’s brightest and youngest stars.
The Mavericks are hoping to get back in the win column after losing six straight games, as well as dropping eight of their previous 10. They are now 13th in the West with an 8-13 card.
Luka Doncic will do all he can to push his team back on track. He currently has an impressive stat line of 27.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.4 assists, but Luka Magic alone won’t stop the hemorrhage. Kristaps Porzingis, assuming he can return to full strength, will have to get his game going and Tim Hardaway must rediscover his shooting touch.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks are led by Trae Young, who is putting up 26.9 points, including 2.3 triples per game, while dishing out 9.0 assists.
The Hawks have had an up and down season so far but remain interesting to watch nonetheless. They own a 10-10 record, good for sixth in the East. They have all the tools to be a playoff team but have yet to find consistency.
