Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers: TV listing, starters, injury report

The Milwaukee Bucks conclude their preseason schedule tonight in Indianapolis as they take on the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.Milwaukee (1-3) and Indiana (1-2) will see one another early in the regular season at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 26.Bucks have roster decisions to makeEvery team in the NBA must set their regular season rosters by 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 19, but teams will likely begin making moves on Oct. 18 for released players to clear waivers and have a chance to make a different roster.Milwaukee will be a part of that movement, as the club must determine if it will guarantee Pete Nance’s deal on Oct. 18 or not. Nance signed a non-guaranteed deal in the offseason and is scheduled to make $2.5 million should the team pick up that guarantee.If the team does, it would mean the Bucks need to waive or trade two other players as it currently has 16 players already on guaranteed deals.The well-liked 26-year-old forward is eligible for another two-way contract should the Bucks waive him. The team has kept a third two-way contract spot open throughout the preseason.“It’s a balance of organic and not formal meetings, too,” Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins said of working with general manager Jon Horst in the run-up to their first roster cut down in their tenure together. “After our games we’re having ‘touch base’ on a lot of different things, obviously roster being towards the top of that list of course and the difficult decision that we’re going to have to make here by [Oct. 19]. Also having some formal meetings too, set aside our sample size is pretty small but a lot of work was done even during the summer so we’re not just saying hey we’ve only been together two weeks since camp started.“We’ve done a lot of homework here, we’ve studied these guys, we’re really thinking about what the future has for us and trying to get these important decisions right as best as possible.”Will the Bucks extend Jaime Jaquez Jr.?Another deadline that is around the corner for Milwaukee is the Oct. 19 threshold to reach an agreement with wing Jaime Jaquez Jr. on a new contract. The rookie scale extension deadline coincides with the roster deadline of 4 p.m. CT.The Bucks do not have to extend Jaquez, who was part of the return for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the offseason trade with Miami, as he will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027.And, even if the team and Jaquez reach an agreement, it does not necessarily mean he is part of the team’s long-term plans as an extension creates cost certainty and could increase Jaquez’s trade value should he have a good season with the Bucks.Jenkins has started the 25-year-old in his three preseason appearances heading into the game in Indiana, even though Jaquez has come off the bench in 178 of his 216 career games. Jaquez was the runner-up in Sixth Man of the Year voting a season ago.“I love the competitiveness of Jaime,” Jenkins said. “Getting him to be more exposed to the starting lineup, seek that opportunity, seek those challenges. He and I have had great conversations about wanting to take the next step defensively. He’s obviously in the first three matchups taken some difficult matchups and had some good moments and had some learning moments too. Regardless of where he ends up, starting or coming off the bench, I think he can make a significant impact for us.“But I really want to him to take that next step defensively. He and I have talked about it. Through his vocal abilities, he’s physical, but him just getting that challenge night after not will be exciting for his growth and our growth, too.”More: How the Milwaukee Bucks can use the salary cap to continue their buildProjected startersGuards: Ryan Rollins, Tyler HerroForwards: Kyle Kuzma, Jaime Jacquez Jr.Center: Myles TurnerBucks injury reportNate Ament, left ankle sprain - OUTWhat channel are the Bucks on?The game will be broadcast over-the-air on My24.What time is the Bucks game?Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.Bucks scheduleOct. 21 at Washington, 6 p.m. CTOct. 23 vs. Chicago, 3 p.m. CTOct. 24 at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m. CTBucks rosterGuardsBrayden BurriesAJ GreenTyler HerroKasparas JakučionisKevin Porter Jr.Ryan RollinsGary Trent Jr.ForwardsNate AmentOusmane DiengJaime Jaquez Jr.Kyle KuzmaCaris LeVertBogoljub MarkovićPete NanceJericho SimsCentersMyles TurnerKel'el WareTwo-way contractsCormac RyanKam JonesTraining camp contractsJohni BroomeJake StephensBucks vs. Pacers oddsThe Bucks are 7.5-point underdogs in Indiana, and the over/under is set at 235.5 points, per BetMGM.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers: TV listing, starters, injury report