The Milwaukee Bucks are at home again to welcome the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
The Bucks ended their last matchup on a rather sour note against the Pacers, losing in the semi-finals of the In-Season Tournament. This’ll be the third time the two squads are matching up, Indiana coming out on top both times they’ve seen Milwaukee.
Third Times a Charm for the Bucks
The Pacers were able to win a come-back game on Nov. 9 against the Bucks, 126-124 in their first meeting this season, and proved to be an elite basketball team when they faced off in the semifinals round. Again, the Pacers came out on top, pulling off a 128-119 victory, bumping the Bucks out of the In-Season Tournament and handed the team their only loss in the tournament.
Milwaukee is 11-2 at home this season, so it seems that they have a ‘home court’ advantage as they get ready for the Pacers to come to Fiserv Forum. Indiana is 6-3 in away games so far this season, holding a 13-8 record while Milwaukee sports a 16-7 record; Both teams are among the top in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams suffered at least one loss in the In-Season Tournament series, the Pacers’ coming against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals round on Saturday night. Milwaukee is coming off of a 133-129 win over the Chicago Bulls in their first contest of a six-game homestand. The Pacers also won on Tuesday night, 131-123 against Detroit.
Highlights from last night’s OT WIN over the Bulls.
⚡️: @we_energies pic.twitter.com/bvDyhHYzbK
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 12, 2023
Injury Report
The Bucks injury list is starting to dwindle, and there aren’t any new additions. Jae Crowder (left adductor) and Pat Connaughton (right ankle sprain) still remain out as they continue to recover.
This marks Connaughton’s sixth straight game where he’s on the sideline as he continues to nurse an ankle sprain. Coach Adrian Griffin said that Connaughton has made progress and is expected to be back sooner rather than later.
Chris Livingston, who’s been spending his playing time with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks G-League affiliate team, injured his ankle and has been listed as unavailable. Then per usual, Milwaukee’s two-way players Marque Bolden, TyTy Washington Jr., and Lindell Wigginton are all unavailable for Wednesday’s contest.
The Pacers will be without Jalen Smith (heel) and Andrew Nembhard (knee). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00PM CST at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night.
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