The narrow 115-114 Pacers win vs the Bucks a few days ago broke the league. Unsurprisingly, Tyrese Haliburton was once again the hero in Indianapolis. With the Pacers trailing by three points and just under four seconds remaining, Haliburton received an inbound pass, and went for a fadeaway three-pointer over Giannis Antetokounmpo, drawing a foul. He converted the FT, winning four points out of nothing that gave Indiana the sub.
Giannis and teammate Damian Lillard are one of the very few who left it all out there at the GainBridge Fieldhouse. Although the Greek Freak missed a three-pointer at the last second, he still trumped up with a 19-point 17-board double-double. Dame pulled up with one of his own, coughing up 15 points and 11 assists. Stings. But, tonight is their chance to exact revenge. But with their recent injury update, it’s likely they’ll have to get it done without the pair.
The Greek’s been managing a left calf strain since early March. Despite that, he’s probably the bookies’ favorite outside contender for the MVP this season apart from Jokic and SGA. He is averaging 30.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting a staggering 60.5% from the field. But the strain might’ve become too much to handle. Due to this, Doc Rivers has put him on a day-to-day basis leading up to the Pacers game.
Oct 14, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Damian Lillard (0) look on in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
As for Notre Dame, he seems a bit like F1 driver Fernando Alonso- aging like fine wine. His numbers at the tender age of 35 are quite astounding, His averages of 25.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game are what still keep the Bucks in contention to be one of the firm favorites to win their third-ever ring. While Lillard is likely to feature at the Fiserv, ESPN states that his groin problem has kept him on a day-to-day basis as well. There’s a chance we might have to wait for Bucks’ clash against Thunder for Dame Time.
Bucks vs Pacers going down to the wire
Not just tonight’s clash, but looks like their rivalry on the table might go down till the end of the season. The last game just gave us a taste of what’s to come. With all of the Pacers players off the injury report as well (other than Isaiah Jackson’s), we might just witness a match better than the one at GainBridge.
Both are at a dead tie in the East, with a 37-28 record to date. The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton has been on another level this season. He’s been averaging 18.4 points and 9 assists this season while shooting 46.6% from the field. And obviously, the Bucks’ worst nightmare after their last meet.
But the last 10 games haven’t gone the hosts’ way. They have a 4-6 record vs the Pacers, with only 1 of those coming in their last 5 meets. Doc will be up all night praying for a miracle in order to have both Dame and Giannis on the field tonight.
Nov 20, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on with head coach Doc Rivers during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
All eyes are on the Fiserv tonight. A win will confirm a 4th spot for either team tonight. But a loss will only make them vulnerable to a lurking and hungry Pistons side who will take 5th with a win. Who do you think will come out victorious?
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