Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Feb. 11 at Indiana Pacers
By Ti Windisch
Major Key For Indiana: Defend Without Fouling
Giannis almost dragged the Bucks back into the game on Friday, in large part thanks to him drawing contact and getting to the free throw line consistently. The Pacers will need Paul George, Myles Turner and company to play good defense against the Greek Freak, but they need to find ways to do so cleanly.
When Indiana lets opponents take 20 or fewer foul shots in a game this season, the Pacers are 12-4. When they let the other team get to the line 30 or more times, the Pacers are 3-8.
The Bucks took 31 foul shots last night and lost, so even if they get to the line a ton a victory isn’t guaranteed. Milwaukee did turn a blowout into a somewhat close game via free throws though, so getting to the line often plus actually defending the opposing team could be a winning formula for the Bucks.
It’s essentially hopeless to ask a defense to guard Giannis well without guarding him, but Turner is a hell of a player, as is Paul George. Sometimes it’s important for a team to pick their spots–if he’s right at the rim already, fouling Giannis isn’t all that helpful.