Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Reeling Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks both need a win
Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dunks the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports|Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Pacers vs. Bucks: A Rivalry Renewed
The NBA Cup Showdown
The NBA Cup is heating up as the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks prepare to face off once again. Both teams are eager to shake off their slow starts this season, each sitting at 6-9. The Pacers and Bucks rivalry has intensified since their playoff clash last year, and tonight’s game promises to be another thrilling chapter in their ongoing saga.
The Bucks have shown signs of life, winning four of their last five games. However, questions linger about their early struggles. Many attribute their slow start to execution issues and the challenge of integrating new players like Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright. Despite these hurdles, the Bucks young talents, such as AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr., have stepped up, injecting energy and defensive prowess into the lineup.
Bucks New Additions and Challenges
AJ Green has been a revelation for the Bucks, providing much-needed shooting and defense. His ability to stretch the floor and hold his own defensively has been a pleasant surprise. While some expected Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright to bolster the Bucks perimeter defense, their impact has been slower to materialize. Trent, in particular, has struggled to adapt to a catch-and-shoot role, but recent games have shown signs of improvement.
The Bucks ceiling has been a topic of debate, with some questioning if Damian Lillard can still perform at his peak. Lillard’s recent shooting slump has been concerning, but his playmaking ability remains a valuable asset. As he regains his shooting touch, the Bucks offense should continue to improve.
Pacers Offensive Struggles
On the other side, the Pacers are grappling with their own set of challenges. Their offense, once a powerhouse, has faltered this season. Tyrese Haliburton, a key player for the Pacers, has struggled to find his rhythm, impacting the team’s overall performance. Injuries have also taken a toll, with key players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith missing games.
The Pacers bench, which was a strength last season, has not been as effective this year. The team has been forced to rely on new lineups due to injuries, disrupting their chemistry and consistency. Despite these setbacks, the Pacers have managed to scrape together enough wins to remain competitive.
As the Pacers and Bucks prepare to clash, both teams are looking to find their footing and build momentum. The rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, with both sides eager to prove themselves. The outcome of this game could set the tone for the rest of the season, making it a must-watch for fans.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers vs. Bucks rivalry, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Analysis of Tyrese Haliburton’s recent performance
- Impact of injuries on the Pacers lineup
- Bucks young players stepping up
- The role of new additions in the Bucks strategy
- Upcoming games and what to expect from the Pacers
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
Trade A proposed blockbuster trade could see the Pacers acquiring a star center, potentially altering the team’s season trajectory significantly. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Pacers are set to face the Bucks at Fiserv Forum at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
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Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images|Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. The Pacers and Bucks rivalry comes as both teams need a win Indiana and Milwaukee are both 6-9 and in desperate need of a win. Their battle on Friday, in NBA Cup action nonetheless, is a huge game for both teams as their new-ish rivalry develops. Locked On Bucks and Locked On Pacers break it down.
What is wrong with Tyrese Haliburton? Tyrese Haliburton hasn’t been himself this season, and his volume of shots combined with his inaccuracy is unheard of. What is going on? And why did the Pacers lose to the Houston Rockets?
Moses Brown needs to finish and defend pick-and-rolls The Indiana Pacers will add Moses Brown in free agency. What can their new center bring to the team? What does his career suggest he can and can’t do? Plus, a conversation about the Indiana Mad Ants and Houston Rockets.
