Pacers at Bucks
THE STORY: The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the hottest teams in the league but still remain on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Sitting one-half game behind the eighth-place New York Knicks, the Bucks will look to continue their late-season charge when they host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. It will be the first meeting this season for the teams, who are each playing their third game in as many nights.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Wisconsin
ABOUT THE PACERS (27-19): Indiana is only percentage points ahead of Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference after Friday's two-point home loss to Phoenix. The Pacers could use some consistency from guard Leandro Barbosa, who was acquired from Toronto on March 15. Barbosa had 12 points in his debut with the team but has scored only seven points combined in the last two games. He was limited to two points on 2-for-10 shooting against the Suns.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (22-25): Milwaukee bounced back from Friday's loss to Boston with a 20-point romp at Charlotte. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute led a balanced attack with 20 points and eight rebounds. It was the second 20-point effort in four games for Mbah a Moute, who is also averaging 9.4 rebounds in his last five. Fellow reserve Mike Dunleavy added 15 points and continued his torrid shooting. During the last five games, Dunleavy is 32 of 45 (71.1 percent) from the floor.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Indiana has won the last two meetings after the Bucks had taken the previous six.
2. Milwaukee is averaging 110.4 points during its 6-1 stretch.