MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Pregame report: Beasley will start at small forward vs. Pacers

Charles F. Gardner
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Beasley will make his first start of the season on Saturday night as the Bucks meet the Indiana Pacers.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Thon Maker would stay in the starting lineup, meaning John Henson is back on the bench after starting the last four games. Henson had two points and three rebounds in 16 minutes in Milwaukee's 122-114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Beasley has appeared in 44 games this season, all off the bench, and has averaged 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.

"We'll mix it up a little bit here," Kidd said. "There are a lot of things we're juggling.

"We'll go with that group that ended the game with Thon starting at center. We'll have Beas at the 3 with Giannis, Tony (Snell) and Delly (Matthew Dellavedova)."

Maker started at power forward against the Lakers but moved to the center role in the fourth quarter when the Bucks made their comeback, including a 14-0 run early in the quarter.

"He's trying to help the team," Kidd said. "He's going to make some mistakes; he's a rookie. When his energy and intent is positive, good things happen."

The Bucks and Pacers have not met since the fifth game of the season, a 125-107 victory for Milwaukee on its home court. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker each had 27 points in that game and Greg Monroe posted a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Indiana (29-24) won seven straight games before suffering back-to-back losses to Cleveland and Washington, Paul George led the Pacers with 31 points in their 112-107 loss to the Wizards on the road on Friday night.

The Pacers will be without power forward Thaddeus Young, out with a sprained left wrist.

Former Bucks guard Monta Ellis has struggled off the bench for the Pacers, but his play has picked up in the last two games. Ellis had 13 points against the Cavaliers on Wednesday and contributed eight points and eight assists against the Wizards while playing 28 minutes.

"I thought last night was the best we've seen the bench play," said Pacers coach Nate McMillan. "They seemed to get a feel with what they're doing out there, getting comfortable with the sets they're calling.

"We had really good ball movement with (Rodney) Stuckey and Monta and Al (Jefferson). That's an experienced group. I felt when we could get those guys together that they could play like that. With Stuckey being healthy and Monta being moved to the bench, Stuckey has moved to that point guard role. It has kind of worked out."

Bucks forward Michael Beasley shoots the ball over Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.