Indiana @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2017 ) Indiana 104, Milwaukee 86

The Milwaukee Bucks came so close to a statement road win before falling short at Toronto on New Year's Day. They will try to rebound at home against an Indiana Pacers team that might once again be playing without leading scorer Victor Oladipo.

After a comeback home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a two-point triumph at Oklahoma City, the Bucks were on the verge of ending the Raptors' 11-game home winning streak but dropped a 131-127 overtime decision. "This is definitely a missed opportunity," Milwaukee's Khris Middleton told reporters. "It's definitely one we thought we were capable of winning." The Bucks should be capable of getting past a Pacers squad that has lost four straight - the last three without Oladipo, who is bothered by a knee issue. Indiana is averaging just 93.5 points during its four-game slide.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE PACERS (19-18): Indiana's starting five combined for 32 points on 12-of-37 shooting in an ugly 107-90 loss to Minnesota at home on New Year's Eve, digging a 17-0 hole out of the gate and getting all 13 of its points in the first quarter from the reserves. Guard Joe Young was among those off the bench that took advantage of an opportunity and he finished with a career-high 20 points in 24 minutes. "It's about being ready, and when your time comes, you have to be ready," Young told reporters. "Like (teammate) Al Jefferson told me, you just have to be ready at all times. Your name could be called any second. I took that motivation and just stayed ready and my time has come."

ABOUT THE BUCKS (19-16): Milwaukee also got a boost from its usually low-scoring bench in the overtime loss to Toronto, as Thon Maker contributed a season high-tying 16 points, Malcolm Brogdon had 15 and Matthew Dellavedova handed out a season-high 10 assists. Eric Bledsoe led the way for the starters with 29 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and zero turnovers in 42 minutes. Antetokounmpo averaged 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists as Milwaukee took three of four meetings with the Pacers last season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Middleton missed all four of his long-range tries in the loss to Toronto to finish without a 3-pointer for the first time in 19 games.

2. Pacers C Myles Turner averages 14.1 points but has gone without a basket in two of his last seven games.

3. Bledsoe scored at least 22 points in five of his last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Bucks 113, Pacers 102