Pacers vs Bucks: Injury Updates, Odds, and Predictions for Friday’s NBA Cup Matchup

The Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks, both with a 6-9 record, faced off on Friday, November 22, in an Eastern Conference Group B matchup of the 2024 NBA Cup. The game, held at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, marked a crucial encounter for both teams as they aim to turn their seasons around.

The Pacers entered the game on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Houston Rockets 130-113 on Wednesday. In contrast, the Bucks had won their last two games, including a 122-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls in their previous contest.

From an injury perspective, the Pacers were dealing with several key absences. Isaiah Jackson, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and James Wiseman were all listed as out due to various injuries. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker were questionable, with Sheppard having been out since the Pacers’ victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday and Walker battling an illness.

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite being listed as probable with a patella issue, was expected to play. However, Khris Middleton remained out with an ankle injury, and Ryan Rollins was set to miss his fifth consecutive game due to a shoulder injury.

In terms of betting odds, the Bucks were favored by 5.5 points, with a money line of -185 for Milwaukee and +177 for Indiana. The over/under for total points was set at 237.5. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a strong track record of NBA predictions, simulated the game 10,000 times and leaned towards the under, projecting 229 combined points.

Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin were key players for the Pacers, with Siakam leading the team in points and Mathurin providing significant scoring and rebounding contributions. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, averaging a league-leading 32.1 points per game, was expected to be a major challenge for the Pacers.

The game was part of the Pacers’ three-game road trip before they return for a four-game home stand, making it a pivotal matchup for both teams as they seek to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference.