Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers
PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers arrive in Milwaukee ranked first defensively in limiting three-point attempts, allowing just 37.3% of opponent shots from beyond the arc, while also boasting the league's best defensive rebounding. However, the Pacers struggle with their own perimeter shooting, ranking 25th in three-point efficiency, and rank 28th in generating rim attacks on offense. The Milwaukee Bucks counter with elite three-point shooting efficiency at the top of the league and solid attacking rim performance at fifth overall. Yet Milwaukee's defense presents vulnerabilities, allowing the 29th-most three-point attempts while ranking dead last in free throw shooting at 73.3% and offensive rebounding at 21.1%.
Indiana enters this matchup as the 15th seed with a 15-52 record, looking to snap a six-game road losing streak against an 11th-seed Bucks team sitting at 27-39. The Pacers have stumbled through their last ten contests at 0-10, allowing opponents an alarming 125.4 points per game, while Milwaukee has managed just two wins in their past ten while surrendering 119.4 points nightly. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee's rebounding effort at 7.0 per game as part of their 32.4 team total, while Andrew Nembhard orchestrates Indiana's offense with 7.3 assists per game. Pascal Siakam continues to anchor the Pacers' efforts with 24 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Jarace Walker has averaged 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds over the past stretch.