Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Preview
The Bucks and Pacers are set to tip-off game two of their first-round series at 8:30 PM ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Bucks are up 1-0 in the series and are favored by 1 point at home. The over/under line is sitting at 220.5, and the money line odds are -104 for the Pacers and -118 for the Bucks. NBA is carrying the game on TV.
Check out BetCoco for Milwaukee Bucks – Indiana Pacers odds
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Pacers and Bucks did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Pacers have a record of 2-1. The Pacers also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 236 points per game leading to an over/under record of 1-2.
- In their last ten games away from home, the Pacers have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 120 points per game in this stretch.
- Although Milwaukee has a straight up record of 0-3 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 0-3. The team averaged 102 points per game in these games.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-7.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Bucks took the most recent game of this series by a score of 109-94. Milwaukee was actually a 1-point underdog heading into the game, but they easily covered the spread. The most lopsided quarter of this game was the 2nd, as the Bucks outscored the Pacers 39-21. The 203 combined points were 26.5 points fewer than the over/under line of 229.5.
Indiana’s defense was at its best in the 3rd quarter of this game, as they held the Bucks to just 14 points. For the game, the Pacers held the Bucks to 47.1% shooting from the field. However, the Bucks did knock down 14 threes. Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 35 points, and Khris Middleton added 23. Pascal Siakam had a big game for the Pacers, finishing with 36 points and 13 rebounds.
Indiana is 47-35 this season and is currently 6th in the Eastern Conference. Against other teams in the East, they are 32-20 and 11-6 against their division.
On the road, the Pacers have gone 21-21 straight-up and 22-19 ATS. They are 16th in the East with a 21-19 record as the road team.
As the underdog, Indiana has gone 21-18 this season and 23-14 ATS. Today, they are getting 1 point against the Bucks and are 39-39 as the underdog.
In their last game, the Pacers lost to the Bucks by a score of 109-94. The O/U line for that game was 229.5, and Indiana was favored by 1 point. This gives them a record of 43-40 on the season.
This season, Indiana has played in games with an average O/U line of 241.1 points. Today’s line is set at 220.5, and the Pacers have gone 39-39 on the season.
Indiana comes into the game as the NBA’s top-scoring team, averaging 123.3 points per contest. They have been even better on the road, at 120.4 points per game. The Pacers’ high-scoring offense has come while playing at the 3rd fastest pace in the league.
Over the Pacers’ last five games, Pascal Siakam has averaged 23.4 points per game on 57.8% shooting. Myles Turner has hit 2.4 threes per game in that stretch, and 38.7% of his threes. Tyrese Haliburton has averaged 16.4 points per game and 9.2 assists in his last five games and 10.9 assists for the season.
When it comes to scoring, the Pacers have had a tough time slowing down opponents this season, ranking 27th in points allowed per game (120.1). That number has been even worse on the road, where they are giving up 121.5 points per contest (28th).
Despite their struggles on the defensive end, Indiana has done a good job of running teams off the three-point line. On the season, they are giving up just 10.7 made threes per game (1st). However, they have struggled to keep teams off the free-throw line, ranking 30th in made free throws allowed per game (25.8).
Over their last five games, the Pacers have been a little better on defense, ranking 20th in field goal percentage allowed (48%). During that stretch, they have also been solid at defending the three-point line, giving up just 33% from beyond the arc.
In 67 of their 82 games this season, the Bucks have been favored, and they are favored by 1 point today. In those games, they have gone 45-22 straight up and 29-38 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of +5.8 points per game.
At home, the Bucks have an average scoring differential of +6.5 points per game, and they have won three straight games against the spread at home. Overall, their ATS record at home is 20-23, compared to 16-24 on the road.
This season, the Bucks have an O/U record of 41-42, and their last two games have gone under the betting line. On average, their games have finished with 234.9 points, and today’s O/U line is set at 220.5.
Milwaukee’s last game was also against the Pacers, and they won by a score of 109-94. The Bucks were 1-point underdogs in that game, giving them an ATS win, and the game finished 15 points below the O/U line of 229.5.
In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks are currently in 3rd place with a record of 49-33. Within the Central Division, they are in 1st place. The team’s ATS record for the season is 36-47.
Milwaukee is currently 4th in the NBA in scoring at 119 points per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 120.9 points per contest on their home floor. Looking at their pace, the Bucks are 6th in the league, averaging 99.9 possessions per game. The Bucks are 5th in both three-point attempts and makes this season, averaging 38.1 attempts and 14.2 makes per game.
For the season, Damian Lillard is averaging 24.3 points and 7 assists. Over his last four games, he has hit 39.3% of his threes and averaged 2.8 made threes per game. Khris Middleton is averaging 17.5 points and 6 assists in his last four games. Bobby Portis has hit 58.1% of his shots in his last four games and averaged 16.2 points.
When it comes to points allowed per game this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are 21st in the league, giving up 116.1 points per contest. At home, they have been slightly better, ranking 17th at 114.3 points per game.
Over their last five games, the Bucks have been even stingier on defense, allowing just 104.4 points per game, which is 5th in the NBA during that stretch.
One area where Milwaukee has struggled this season is in steals, ranking 26th in the league at 6.8 per game. However, they have been solid at protecting the rim, coming in 15th in blocked shots at 5 per contest.
In spite of being 1 point underdogs, we anticipate the Pacers winning this one 113-110.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Betting Tips
- We like the Pacers on the moneyline (-104)
- The Pacers are also our pick on the spread at +1
- Projecting a combined 223 points, we like the over
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – Calf – Doubtful
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
- Bennedict Mathurin – Shoulder – Out
