Milwaukee Bucks (4-10) @ Indiana Pacers (10-7) TV: UPN 24 Radio: 620 AM WTMJ WHEN: 6:00 PM WHERE: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianpolis, IN Previous Game Pacers 96 @ Warriors 104 Spurs 104 @ Bucks 83 Streaks Pacers: Lost 4 Bucks: Lost 3 Probable Starters C: Dan Gadzuric/David Harrison PF: Joe Smith/Jeff Foster SF: Desmond Mason/Fred Jones SG: Michael Redd/Reggie Miller PG: Mo Williams/Eddie Gill 6th Man: Mike James/Austin Croshere Coaches: Terry Porter/Rick Carlisle Injuries Bucks- Keith Van Horn- OUT (Ankle) TJ Ford- OUT (Neck) Toni Kukoc- OUT (Hip) Daniel Santiago- OUT (Eye) Pacers- Jamaal Tinsley- OUT (Ankle) Scot Pollard- OUT (Back) Jonathan Bender- OUT (Knee) Ron Artest- OUT- SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE Jermaine O'Neal- OUT- SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE Steven Jackson- OUT- SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE Matchup to Watch Desmond Mason vs Fred Jones Mason: 17.9 PPG 4.9 RPG 2.0 APG 0.93 SPG Jones: 13.2 PPG 4.3 RPG 2.6 APG 0.73 SPG NOTEWORTHY The Pacers (10-7) are 3-5 since the suspensions of Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson. ... Milwaukee is off to its worst overall start (4-10) since 1995-96. The Bucks have lost their first seven road games, the worst road start since 1976-77, when they dropped a franchise record 16 in a row. ... The Bucks are beginning a 12-day span that brings seven road games in three time zones. ... The Bucks signed veteran guard Kendall Gill on Monday and placed center Daniel Santiago (eye) on the injured list. ... Though the Pacers lost three of four to Milwaukee last season, they've won 14 of the last 18 meetings in Indianapolis. Prediction The Bucks face a game that they almost must win just for the sake of regaining confidence. I have a feeling that the Bucks matchup pretty well against the depleted Pacers. The Bucks will be with out starting SF Keith Van Horn who is out for his second game with an ankle injury. If they contain Reggie and Croshere, and no one has a surprise high scoring game, the Bucks could sneak out a win. But.... Pacers by 3
Bucks Win 89-86!! Milwaukee 21 20 20 28 89 Final Indiana 19 16 19 32 86 Bucks Leading Scorer- Michael Redd 28 pts Pacers Leading Scorers- Reggie Miller 32 pts Bucks Leading Rebounder- Dan Gadzuric 13 Rebounds Pacers Leading Rebounder- Austin Croshere 12 Rebounds Bucks Leading Assists- Mike James 4 Assists Pacers Leading Assists- Anthony Johnson 13 Assists Bucks 5-10 Pacers 10-8 Next Games: Bucks: vs Miami Tomorrow Pacers: @ Milwaukee Friday GMan's MVP: Michael Redd OTHER STATS: Desmond Mason 21 pts 7 boards, shot very well. Gadz had 9 and 13, Joe Smith 12 and 9. Reggie Miller was shooting the lights out of the ball, he scored 19 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, the last coming on a 3-pointer in Mason's face with 29.9 seconds left to pull the Pacers to 84-83. Redd answered with a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an 87-83 lead. Fred Jones hit a 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds to play, but Milwaukee inbounded the ball, Redd hit two free throws and Anthony Johnson missed a wide open 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game. The Bucks have a quick turnaround as they head home to face Shaq and the Heat tomorrow night.
