3 things to watch in the Milwaukee Bucks division clash vs Indiana Pacers

Will the Milwaukee Bucks struggle on the glass again?

Just when you thought the Bucks had completely patched up their frontcourt and they’d be set for the rest of the season in terms of size… they gave up a whole bunch of second chance opportunities to the Blazers.

Portland had a near 30 percent offensive rebounding rate last night and, sure, Milwaukee was missing Antetokounmpo, who helps out tremendously on the glass, that’s still not a great way to start the Serge Ibaka era.

Indiana won’t have Sabonis or Turner for this one for different reasons, but they still have guys who can crash the offensive glass and make it a long night for the Bucks if they aren’t careful.

Tristan Thompson, Goga Bitadze, Oshae Brissett, and Jalen Smith are all very active and if Antetokonmpo is out again, leaving the Bucks with Ibaka and Bobby Portis, then things could get rough.

Offensive rebounds weren’t the sole reason why they lost to the Blazers, but it was a big factor. There isn’t going to be a Nurkic-sized presence in the frontcourt for the Pacers, but rebounding isn’t all about size (as we came to learn from Pat Connaughton and Donte DiVincenzo).

The Bucks have been one of the best rebounding teams for the majority of the season once they put Antetokounmpo and Portis together, so last night should be a simple anomaly and they should be able to get that under control tonight. I hope.