The Milwaukee Bucks are the first team this season to reach 50 wins. Can they get their 51st this Friday when they go up against the banged-up Indiana Pacers squad? Or, will the Pacers finally score their first win in three tries this season versus the Bucks?
Catch this game live on Friday, March 14, at 7:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Indiana Pacers (31-38/12-22 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tyrese Haliburton (Questionable)
- SG: Andrew Nembhard
- SF: Buddy Hield (Questionable)
- PF: Aaron Nesmith
- C: Myles Turner (Questionable)
Missing some key players, the Pacers lost to the lottery-bound Detroit Pistons last Tuesday in Motown, 117-97. Indiana missed the services of Tyrese Haliburton, Benedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner in that game due to injuries, and all three remain questionable for this upcoming meeting with the Bucks.
It is very possible that the trio will miss Friday’s matchup against the Bucks, but it’s still worth checking on their statuses before tip-off. Former Bucks forward Joran Nwora came off the bench and led Indiana with 20 points in the loss to the Pistons. He could be even more engaged this Friday, considering he will be up against his former team. As for the team, Indiana is 11th in the league so far this season with 115.5 points per game and sixth with 26.6 assists per contest. The Pacers have also covered the spread in four of their last five games away from home.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (50-19/28-6 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Pat Connaughton
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez (Questionable)
Whatever happens the rest of the regular season, the Bucks will have a spot ready for them in the playoffs after becoming the first team to secure a postseason berth with a 116-104 road win against the Phoenix Suns last Tuesday. Milwaukee has lost just twice since the start of February and only seven times since the calendar flipped to 2023. Moreover, Milwaukee is 18-9-3 ATS in their last 30 outings.
In other words, the Bucks have a ton of proof to discourage anyone from betting against them. Khris Middleton missed the Phoenix game for load management purposes, but he is expected to be back in the lineup this Friday. Brook Lopez is questionable as of this writing, but if he can’t go, Milwaukee has full trust in Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo to handle the frontcourt duties just fine, especially if Indiana misses Turner again.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: Indiana (13.5) covers.
Over/Under: The Over (234.5) hits.
