Tip-off: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Milwaukee -1.0, Total: 186.5

The Bucks host the Pacers Thursday night and both teams are fighting for position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The Pacers went into Washington on Wednesday and came away with a 103-101 as 3-point road underdogs against the Wizards. The win snapped a six game losing streak for Indiana and this team will need to continue to win games in order to sneak into the postseason in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks also ended their six game SU losing streak with an 89-88 victory as 2-point home underdogs against the Heat Tuesday. They have, however, struggled offensively with just 89.5 PPG over the past two contests. That could be an issue against a Pacers team that has scored 100+ points in each of its past three games. In three meetings between these teams on the season, the Pacers are 2-1 SU but just 1-2 ATS. They won their only game in Milwaukee so far, defeating the Bucks 94-91 as a 1-point road ‘dog. Over the past three seasons, Indiana is 8-3 SU in this series but just 5-6 ATS. Six of those 11 games have gone Under the total. The Pacers are 41-24 ATS after two or more consecutive Overs in the past three seasons. The Bucks, meanwhile, are 18-8 ATS after playing two consecutive games as an underdog this season. SG Rodney Stuckey (Calf) is doubtful for the Pacers in this game and SF Paul George’s (Leg) return is nearing, but it won’t be in this game. SG O.J. Mayo (Hamstring) is probable for the Bucks and SF Jared Dudley (Back) is questionable for the team, which is already without SFs Jabari Parker (Ankle) and Damien Inglis (Foot) for the season.

The Pacers finally ended their losing skid with a win over the Wizards on Wednesday. The only true bright spot for this team has been the play of PG George Hill (15.7 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG), who is playing the best basketball of his career. Hill had 29 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, a steal and a block in 43 minutes against the Wizards. He outplayed John Wall and was the reason his team was able to come away with a victory. Hill will need to keep it up with a solid performance against Michael Carter-Williams and the Bucks. C Roy Hibbert (10.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.7 BPG) was fortunate that his team won, as he was held scoreless against Washington. Hibbert was averaging 18.0 PPG in his three previous games and his inconsistency has got to be frustrating for Indiana. He will need to get back on track with a matchup against a Bucks team that he is averaging 17.0 PPG against in two games this season. PF David West (11.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.3 APG) has really struggled recently, averaging just 8.2 PPG on 37.5% shooting over the past five games. West is this team’s leader and will need to start playing better moving forward. The Bucks are undersized at the power forward position and he should be able to put up some decent numbers Thursday. SF Solomon Hill (9.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG) will be an x-factor for Indiana in this game. Hill had 13 points, six boards and three assists in 32 minutes against the Wizards. With this team depleted at the wing positions, Hill will need to be aggressive as a scorer versus Milwaukee.

The Bucks defeated the Heat on Tuesday and the victory could not have come at a better time. This team had been really struggling and needed a confidence booster. PG Michael Carter-Williams (14.7 PPG, 6.9 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG) is going to need to pick things up for this team if it is going to start winning consistently. The guard had just four points with six turnovers in 26 minutes before fouling out against Miami. The team is just 5-13 since acquiring him from Philadelphia. SG Khris Middleton (13.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG) struggled against the Heat last game, but he ended up hitting a game-winning three at the buzzer for Milwaukee. He’s averaging just 12.3 PPG against the Pacers this season and will need to be better this time around. SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG,2.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.0 SPG) has continued to play excellent on both ends of the floor for the Bucks. Over the past five games, the forward is averaging 17.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.4 APG and 2.0 BPG. The Pacers are weak at the small forward position and Antetokounmpo should be able to get it going on Thursday. C Zaza Pachulia (8.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG) had 14 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and a block against Miami. He will have his work cut out for him with the massive Roy Hibbert in town, but he has been playing very well and should ride that momentum into Thursday. PF Ersan Ilyasova (10.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG) is another member of this frontcourt that could make a big impact. He had 19 points, 11 boards, three blocks and a steal against Miami and will need to continue to knock down his outside shots (37% 3PT) and also rebound moving forward.