Matchup
The Pacers snapped their losing streak with Wednesday's dramatic win over the Wizards, now they'll look to keep rolling on Thursday night in Milwaukee. It will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between Indiana (31-40) and the Bucks (35-36).
George Hill was the star on Wednesday, tallying 29 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists and scoring the game-winning bucket to lift the Pacers to a much-needed win. Hill's heroics helped catapult the Blue & Gold back into a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with Boston. The Pacers and Celtics are a half-game ahead of Charlotte and Brooklyn in a crowded race for the final playoff spot.
Indiana's playoff fate is in its own hands. Over their final 11 games, the Pacers play a game each against Boston, Charlotte, Brooklyn, seventh-place Miami, and sixth-place Milwaukee. The Bucks are four games ahead of Indiana, but they're fading fast, having dropped 11 of their last 14 contests. The Pacers are up 2-1 in the season series and a win Thursday in Milwaukee would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker over their Central Division rivals.
Shooting guard C.J. Miles was a key contributor in Wednesday's win, scoring 16 points and going 3-for-8 from 3-point range. Miles bounced back in a big way from a rough shooting night in Monday's loss to Houston, when he made just 3-of-16 shots and went 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. Miles' contributions are especially important as combo guard Rodney Stuckey has missed the last two games with a sore left calf and won't play on Thursday.
Projected Starters
George Hill
C.J. Miles
Solomon Hill
David West
Roy Hibbert
Michael Carter-Williams
Khris Middleton
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ersan Ilyasova
Zaza Pachulia
Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - C.J. Miles, SF - Solomon Hill, PF - David West, C - Roy Hibbert
Bucks: PG - Michael Carter-Williams, SG - Khris Middleton, SF - Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF - Ersan Ilyasova, C - Zaza Pachulia
Injury Report
Pacers: Paul George - out (rehabilitation for broken right leg), Rodney Stuckey - out (sore left calf)
Bucks: Jared Dudley - questionable (back spasms), Damien Inglis - out (right ankle surgery), O.J. Mayo - questionable (sore right hamstring), Jabari Parker - out (left knee surgery)
Last Meeting
March 12, 2015: The Pacers pulled away in overtime for a 109-103 victory over the visiting Bucks. Indiana held Milwaukee to 39 percent shooting on the night, the seventh straight game they held an opponent under 40 percent.
Rodney Stuckey led the Pacers with 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists off the bench. Fellow reserve Luis Scola added 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Michael Carter-Williams led all scorers with 28 points, going 12-for-15 from the free throw line. Ersan Ilyasova (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Zaza Pachulia (16 points and 12 boards) both recorded double-doubles for Milwaukee.
Noteworthy
- Indiana has won three straight road games at Milwaukee. The Bucks’ last home win over the Pacers came two seasons ago on Dec. 18, 2012.
- Milwaukee leads the overall series with the Pacers 92-82, including a 57-29 advantage at home.
- The Pacers are 5-10 so far this season on the second night of a back-to-back.
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 107.5/1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers return to Indiana on Sunday to host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Good seats still remain for that game. Reserve your seats now: Find Tickets »