Coming off a back-to-back set against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers are set to host the Milwaukee Bucks for an afternoon showdown on New Year’s Eve.
The Pacers showed resilience after a tough 142-105 loss to Boston, bouncing back with a 123-114 victory at TD Garden on Sunday night. Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in the win, scoring 31 points and dishing out seven assists. He was one of eight Pacers who scored at least eight points in the game, highlighting a well-rounded team effort.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are coming off consecutive losses, both without their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. After squandering a 13-point lead to Brooklyn on Thursday, they fell 116-111 to Chicago on Saturday night. Damian Lillard, returning from injury, led the Bucks with 29 points and 12 assists. Despite his second-half surge, Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed regret over not getting Lillard more opportunities late in the game.
Antetokounmpo, who currently leads the NBA with 32.7 points per game and tops the Bucks with 11.6 rebounds per game, has missed the last few outings due to an illness that swept through the Bucks’ locker room. His availability for the game against Indiana remains uncertain, posing a key question for Milwaukee.
Milwaukee is gradually recovering from the illness, although rookie AJ Johnson missed the Chicago game due to the same issue. Additionally, Khris Middleton is on a minutes’ restriction following his return from injury and illness.
Indiana’s Pascal Siakam leads the team with 19.8 points per game, supported by six other Pacers averaging double figures. Siakam also leads with 7.2 rebounds, while Haliburton’s 8.7 assists per game rank fifth in the NBA. Myles Turner adds defensive prowess, averaging 2.1 blocks per game, third in the league.
Injury concerns for Indiana include Obi Toppin, who is day-to-day with an ankle injury and missed Sunday’s game. Aaron Nesmith (ankle), Isaiah Jackson (Achilles), and James Wiseman (Achilles) remain sidelined.
The Bucks won the first matchup of the season against the Pacers 129-117 on November 22. Antetokounmpo delivered a stellar performance with 37 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, and the Bucks shot 47.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Last season, Indiana won four of five matchups against Milwaukee, including a game in the NBA Cup semifinals. In the Bucks’ lone victory, Antetokounmpo set a franchise record with 64 points, leading to a post-game locker room dispute over the game ball.
With both teams dealing with key absences and looking to establish momentum, this New Year’s Eve clash promises to be an intriguing battle. The outcome could hinge on whether Antetokounmpo takes the floor, and how well each team can leverage their depth and adaptability.
