Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 119-109 win over Indiana Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks dominate the paint despite being down several bigs in win over Indiana Pacers

Without Lopez, Portis, and even Holiday in the fold, Milwaukee’s post-scoring numbers were likely going to decrease against Indiana. One would think that way, considering the Pacers had a big size advantage with players like Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and Goga Bitadze, but the Bucks turned some heads with their dominant efforts down low.

Surprisingly, the Bucks outright dominated the Pacers in the paint as they outscored them 58-34 in that area. Most of that was obviously done by Antetokounmpo, but it seemed like everyone got in on the action as the Pacers had no answer for the onslaught. According to NBA.com/stats, it was Antetokounmpo who led the way with 20 paint points, followed by Middleton with 12, the ever-energetic Thanasis Antetokounmpo with eight, George Hill with six, and Jordan Nwora with four, with several Bucks following with two.

For the Bucks to showcase that type of dominance without either of their usual rotational centers is eye-opening. That is obviously true offensively, as Milwaukee’s seven-footers obviously have a knack for scoring the basketball down low, but the defense held up without them either by giving up just 34 points to a very talented group of bigs. Things should only get better on both sides of the ball when Lopez and Portis return to the lineup.

All in all, it was a great win for the Bucks to finish their three-game road trip. It will feel good to be back at Fiserv Forum with a 3-1 record on the year, and they will look to keep the ball rolling with some tough opponents coming up.

The first will be the Minnesota Timberwolves this Wednesday, and you can catch the action at 7:00 p.m. CST on Bally Sports Wisconsin for those viewing locally.