Debate: Pacers or Bucks in playoffs?

The only thing Ric Bucher and Chris Broussard like to do more than report on the NBA is argue about the NBA. So we decided to combine those two skills for Insider's weekly One-on-One series, in which they'll debate the hottest topics in the association.

Question: Who will grab the eighth playoff spot in the East?

BUCHER: The first seven playoff teams in the Eastern Conference are pretty much established, with only their final order to be sorted out. But the eighth and final berth is completely up for grabs, with the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Bobcats tied for it at the start of the week and the Milwaukee Bucks 1.5 games back with a dozen-and-a-half games to play. As hard as it is for me to bet against the Bobcats' Stephen Jackson, I'm going to go with the Bucks catching and surpassing both teams and salvaging an otherwise-disappointing season by still squeaking into the playoffs.

BROUSSARD: This is definitely a close one, Ric. One could certainly make an argument for any of the three teams in the hunt. The fan in me wants Milwaukee because I like Brandon Jennings. But I'm going to go with Indiana. I know the Pacers have been skidding lately, but I think they've got the best team of the three and will hold on for the eighth playoff spot.

To see why Chris Broussard believes the Pacers will grab the eighth spot, while Ric Bucher sees the Bucks making a charge to the playoffs, you must be an ESPN Insider.