Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Preview: Bucks Look to Outpace Pacers

Hey, did you know that Malcolm Brogdon has been playing solid basketball for the Indiana Pacers this year? Unfortunately, he is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks in what would have been his first tilt against his former employer since being shipped to Indiana.

Bucks Update

The Bucks survived their first game without Khris Middleton, beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 124-115 on Thursday night to improve to 8-3.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was unstoppable, dropping 38 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in 36 minutes. He could have had more, but made just 11-of-20 shots from the foul line. Point guard Eric Bledsoe continued to keep the ball rolling versus Chicago, finishing with a season-high 31 points on 12-of-14 shooting. He also added eight dimes and his passing out of pick-and-roll situations is absolutely beautiful.

The Bucks made only six three-pointers on 33 attempts, but still ended up winning by nine points. Basketball is drunk.

As for tonight, the Bucks will have all hands on deck besides Middleton, as will be the case for several weeks.

Player To Watch: Brook Lopez

He continues to be elite defensively, but is still trying to find his stroke from three. I would love to see him feast in the paint tonight against the Pacers, especially with big man Myles Turner listed as doubtful.

Pacers Update

Malcolm Brogdon, Malcolm Brogdon, Malcolm Brogdon.

The Pacers currently sit at 7-5 this season but looking at their schedule, it has been quite soft. Their last game was a 111-102 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

The Pacers had six players score in double-figures, but made just 8-of-33 shots from beyond the arch. Not great!

It should be no surprise that Brogdon is averaging 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game thus far because Indiana is so shorthanded due to injuries. The fact of the matter is, Malcolm was never going to be the alpha in Milwaukee and he wanted to take on a bigger role. He is playing well, and so are the Bucks.

As for Indiana’s injury report for tonight, it is...long.

Player To Watch: T.J. Warren

He’s as streaky as they come, but when he’s hot, he’s HOT. I am sure he will be asked to shoulder the load offensively tonight for Indiana since they practically have half of their active roster injured.