Jim Owczarski on Bucks string of wins and Giannis’ greatness
The Milwaukee Bucks’ recent play appears to show they’ve turned a corner. And where does Giannis rank in NBA history? Jim Owczarski discusses.
INDIANAPOLIS – On Monday the Indiana Pacers ended the Milwaukee Bucks’ 15-game home winning streak. Tonight, the Bucks look to end the Pacers’ four-game win streak at Gainbridge Field House. Tip-off is 6 p.m. CT.
Indiana (18-14) has already won the season series over Milwaukee (24-9) in claiming three of the four games to date.
Indiana scored 47 points in the third quarter to take a 113-97 lead over Bucks going into the fourth. Ben Mathurin scored nine in the frame for the Pacers while the Bucks went 1-for-6 from behind the three-point line.
The Bucks lead Pacers 68-66 in high-scoring first half in which all 10 Bucks who played, scored. All 10 Pacers who played also scored. Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 13 while Obi Toppin had12 off the bench to lead Indiana.
The Pacers jumped out to an 8-3 lead early and took a 33-31 lead after the first quarter. Seven of the eight Bucks who played scored while Jalen Smith led the Pacers with seven points.
Khris Middleton to play for Bucks
Three-time all-star Khris Middleton began the day being listed as questionable to play with two injury designations for the game against the Pacers, but Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said he will be available to play. Along with right knee injury management, he also has a left wrist sprain. Middleton had surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in the wrist in the summer of 2022 and missed the first 20 games of the season as he recovered.
Griffin said the team will continue to monitor the wrist sprain.
The Bucks travel to San Antonio to play the Spurs on Thursday, and Middleton has yet to play both games of a back-to-back.
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What is Bucks’ record without Middleton?
Milwaukee is 4-1 in the games Middleton has missed this season.
Bucks injury report
- Middleton, questionable (right knee injury management and left wrist sprain)
- Pat Connaughton, questionable (non-COVID illness)
- Jae Crowder, out (left adductor surgery) Crowder is approaching the eight-week mark from his Nov. 14 surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle. His activity has gradually ramped up since.
- AJ Green, out (nasal fracture)Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said Green broke his nose during the team’s practice on Dec. 31. A procedure was considered as he did not play against Indiana on Monday, but he will rejoin the team for the Spurs game on Thursday. Green is familiar with the injury, though. He broke his nose last season while practicing with the Wisconsin Herd on Oct. 28 and had surgery on Nov. 1. Green returned to action on Nov. 16.
IS BUCKS-PACERS A RIVALRY?: Oshkosh native Tyrese Haliburton says not yet
Is Giannis playing?
Yes.
Antetokounmpo is coming off a triple-double against Indiana on New Year’s Day. He scored 30 points, pulled down 18 rebounds and handed out 11 assists.
BUCKS vs. PACERS: Why was Giannis, teammates upset with Indiana after the game on Dec. 13?
Bucks starters
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
- Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton
- Center: Brook Lopez
What happened between the Bucks and Pacers?
It has been an interesting season series. First, Antetokounmpo scored 54 points in Indiana on Nov. 9, but the Bucks had a double-digit lead slip away in a loss. Then the Pacers knocked the Bucks out of the In-Season Tournament with a victory in the semifinals in Las Vegas on Dec. 7.
On Dec. 13, Antetokounmpo set a franchise record with 64 points, but it led to several heated postgame conversations between players and staff from both teams. The Bucks did not appreciate Pacers players leaving the court without shaking hands, and a miscommunication over where the game ball was was also part of the scene.
In the last game between the teams Monday, the Pacers overcame two 15-point deficits to give Oshkosh native Tyrese Haliburton his first victory as a professional in his home state.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
