The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to continue pounding on the Indiana Pacers. They easily won the past two meetings this season, holding Indy to under 90 points on both occasions.
HOME TEAM: Indiana Pacers (31-23, 18-10 at home)
Things are getting ugly for the Pacers, who have now lost six-straight games. That’s despite shooting a respectable 48.8% from the floor over that span.
On Tuesday, they let one get away against the Brooklyn Nets. They led by four with only 50 seconds remaining but then allowed a 7-2 run to end up with a 106-105 loss.
Seven different Pacers are scoring in double figures on the season and three are above 16 points – Domantas Sabonis (18.8 PPG), TJ Warren (18.2 PPG), and Malcolm Brogdon (16.6 PPG). In the season series with the Bucks, however, no one is averaging more than 15 PPG.
Indy could only muster 86 PPG and a dreadful 34.5 shooting percentage in the two matchups with the Bucks this season.
ROAD TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks (46-7, 21-4 on the road)
The Bucks are winners in 14 of their last 15 games, 13 of which have come in double-digits. They are asserting dominance in yet another impressive stretch, scoring 121.1 PPG and only allowing opponents to shoot 39.9%.
As always, the three-headed monster of the Bucks are the core to watch out for. Giannis Antetokounmpo has an excellent case for a second-straight MVP award and a Defensive Player of the Year nod, Khris Middleton is showcasing versatility night in and night out, and Eric Bledsoe is picking his spots nicely when to score big while also proving that he’s an elite defensive point guard.
The Greek Freak is posting incredible numbers against the Pacers this season, which further solidifies his efficiency – 22 points, 16 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in ONLY 29.5 minutes of action.
His two best cohorts are not far away, though, as both are in solid runs in their last seven games – Middleton has 27 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 6.6 APG, while Bledsoe is at 19.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 7.1 APG.
PREDICTION:
Giannis missed the previous game due to the birth of his son, but whether he sits out tomorrow or now, expect the Bucks to collect another victory. Middleton and Bledsoe should be able to lead the gang to a 116-108 win.
