Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: A Stop in Indy

Apr 14, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) during the third quarter at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a cliche in sports that usually gets re-spewed as something on the order of, “He’s the kind of player you hate until he’s on your team. Then you love him.”

Now get that weak crap out of here.

I wouldn’t like Tyler Hansbrough if he cured my grandmother’s foot warts by personally massaging her knotty feet with his own two hands, let alone if he merely joined the Bucks. The pushing. The whining. The overacting. The incredulity.  Go away already.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Bucks are about to get exposed to his interpretation of basketball.  According to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers won’t have their usual starting power forward against the Bucks, leaving Hansbrough to take his spot.

CORRECTION: Frank Vogel said David West (back) is likely OUT tomorrow vs Milwaukee and Saturday at Chicago

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) March 21, 2013

The Bucks most likely won’t have their usual starting forwards either. Both Ersan Ilyasova and Luc Mbah a Moute are listed as ‘out’ for the game.  Presumably, this means that Marquis Daniels and Samuel Dalembert continue to start, especially since Dalembert is the only Buck from this season or last with the height to match up with Indiana center Roy Hibbert.

The Bulls lost last night, so the Bucks now sit 2.0 games behind the teams currently seeded 6th and 7th in the Eastern Conference.

Projected Lineups

Pacers: George Hill, Lance Stephenson, Paul George, Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Larry Sanders, Samuel Dalembert

Projected Lineups

Danny Granger (sore left knee): out
David West (lower back pain): gametime decision
Ersan Ilyasova (left hip pain): out
Luc Mbah a Moute (sprained toe): out

Some numbers

Thing the Pacers are good at: defense.

Thing the Bucks are not good at: defense.

Advantage: Indiana.