Milwaukee/Indy
Milwaukee/Indy
This game has so many sub plots and things to look at, but what stands out the most to me is that this game is a rivalry and in a rivalry the result is often a close one. However the last time these two met it was anything but as the bucks trampled the pacers en route to a 20 point drubbing. I think the pacers may have somewhat overlooked the mavs in anticipation for this game as they blew a lead in the third giving up and were ambushed by Dallas.
Looking back at the earlier game against the bucks you would see it was a tight game but two spurts propelled the bucks to a blowout victory, and because of that game and the late collapse against the mavs I do not look for a lapse in defense by the pacers and in fact it was one of the reasons I jumped on the under.
A quick look at the numbers will show the bucks are not a great road team while the pacers are a good home team, and the crowd should be into this one tonight.
"Our home crowd, when they get into a basketball game, really makes the difference between winning and losing," he said. "This is one of the few buildings in the league where the home crowd can really affect the game.
"Our building is so tight and our fans get so vocal that it definitely rattles the other team.
The pacers are looking at this as a statement game. "This is the first test for us as a young team," he said. "I have to see how they respond to this before I know what I can do with them. Having the first game at home is important. If we win it, we'll go there with more confidence. If we lose it, it's a hole."
Finally I would be a bit nervous if I was backing the bucks in a tight contest because the pacers can shoot from the stripe and a two point lead could turn into a late minute six point cover in a instant.
I'm sticking with the under but would back the Pacers if push came to shove, will try to post more before tip-off, but I wanted to get this out to you.
JT
Sneaks
