Central Division Rivals face off on New Years Day with a matchup between the Indiana Pacers (17-14, 7th in the East) and the Milwaukee Bucks (24-8, 2nd in the East). The Pacers are coming off a high-scoring win over New York, winning 140-126 as 3.5-point home favorites against the Knicks. The Bucks just won on the road in Cleveland 119-111, winning and covering against the Cavs as 5.5-point road favorites. This will be the 4th of five matchups between these teams due to the In-Season Tournament, the Pacers currently have a 2-1 series lead on the season. The Bucks are currently listed as 7.5-point home favorites. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 EST from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
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The Indiana Pacers are currently chasing the Bucks in the standings, but come in with momentum as they have won their last three games. The Pacers should also feel confident, as they have a 2-1 series lead against the Bucks this season. Their most recent win over Milwaukee came in the In-Season Tournament Semifinals, winning by nine on their way to the Finals. Their last game was a 140-126 win over the Knicks, Myles Turner had 28 points to lead in scoring, but Tyrese Haliburton had an even bigger game with 22 points and 23 assists in the win.
Haliburton is having a career year, and is putting his name on the map with averages of 24.6 PPG and 12.8 APG. He leads the league in assists, and is averaging a career high in points. Haliburton has had 20 point-20 assist games in his last two outings, both of which were wins. Myles Turner is the second leading scorer with 17.7 PPG and leads the team with 7.5 RPG. Turner has had 24 or more points in three of the last four games. The Pacers have a balanced attack, they have six players averaging between 10 and 14 PPG. The next highest scorer is Bennedict Mathurin, he typically comes off the bench and adds 13.6 PPG on the perimeter. Buddy Hield is an outside shooter adding 13.2 PPG, and Bruce Brown is a starter on the wing adding another 11.6 PPG.
Obi Toppin typically starts at the power forward spot adding 11.5 PPG. The other two double figure scorers are Aaron Nesmith (12.0 PPG) and Jalen Smith (10.4 PPG). Indiana ranks 2nd in offensive efficiency, but 30th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. The Pacers play extremely fast, they play at the 2nd fastest tempo in the league.
Injury Report:
Questionable: Bruce Brown