Game two of this first-round Eastern Conference series between the Pacers and Bucks is set for 8:30 PM ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Bucks lead the series 1-0 and are favored by 1 point at home. The over/under line is sitting at 220.5 points, and the Bucks are -118 on the money line compared to -104 for the Pacers. NBA Network has the TV coverage.

INDIANA PACERS VS MILWAUKEE BUCKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Indiana Pacers +1

This game will be played at Fiserv Forum at 8:30 ET on Tuesday, April 23rd.

WHY BET THE INDIANA PACERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 113-110 in favor of the Pacers.
  • Our projections have Pascal Siakam finishing with Pascal Siakam points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Pacers finishing with a field goal percentage of 51.6% and knocking down 13 threes.

After a 30-21 first quarter in favor of the Bucks, they blew the game open in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Pacers 39-21. Milwaukee went on to win the game 109-94, easily covering the spread as 1-point underdogs. The game fell well short of the over/under line of 229.5 points, with the teams combining for just 203 points.

Defensively, the Pacers held the Bucks to just 47.1% shooting, but they still made 14 threes. On the other side, the Pacers shot just 39.6% from the field and made only 8 threes. Pascal Siakam had a big game for the Pacers, finishing with 36 points and 13 rebounds. Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 35 points, and Khris Middleton added 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Does Indiana Have What it Takes to Win as Road Underdogs?

Indiana is 21-19 as the underdog this season and are 21-18 as the underdog vs. the spread. On the road, they are 22-19 ATS compared to 26-18 straight up.

The Pacers are 47-35 this season and are currently in 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 32-20 and 11-6 against other teams in the Central Division.

In their last game against the Bucks, the Pacers lost 109-94. They were also favored by 1 point in that game. The O/U line for that game was 229.5, and Indiana has an ATS record of 44-37 this season.

On average, Indiana’s games have finished with 243 points this season. Today’s O/U line is set at 220.5, and the Pacers have gone 43-40 on the over/under this season.

Looking at their road games, the Pacers are 21-21 this season. Their straight-up scoring margin on the road is -1.1 points per game, and they have an ATS record of 22-19 on the road.

Indiana is the NBA’s top-scoring team this season, at 123.3 points per game. They have been even better on the road, at 120.4 points per contest. The Pacers’ high-scoring offense has come while playing at the 3rd highest pace in the league.

Looking at Pascal Siakam’s last five games, he is averaging 23.4 points per game on 57.8% shooting. Over this stretch, he also averaged 8.4 rebounds. Myles Turner has hit 2.4 threes per game in his last five games and averaged 20.6 points on 53.7% shooting. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 16.4 points per game and 9.2 assists in his last five games.

On the season, the Pacers are giving up 120.1 points per game, which is 27th in the league. On the road, Indiana is allowing 121.5 points per contest, which is 28th.

Over their last five games, the Pacers have given up 118.2 points per game, which is 26th.

On the season, opponents have made just 10.7 threes per game against Indiana, which is 1st in the NBA. In terms of three-point attempts allowed, the Pacers are also 1st, giving up just 29.4 attempts per contest.

Indiana is 30th in the league in free throws made allowed per game at 25.8. They are also 30th in field goal percentage allowed at 49.7%.

Can Milwaukee Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

In their last game against the Pacers, the Bucks won as 1-point underdogs by a score of 109-94. This victory improved their overall record to 49-33, which is currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference.

Milwaukee has a 36-47 ATS record for the season, including going 20-23 ATS at home. They have covered the spread in three straight home games and are favored by 1 point today.

On average, the Bucks’ games have finished with 234.9 points per game, which is higher than today’s O/U line of 220.5. This season, their games have averaged a combined scoring line of 234.2.

In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks are 34-18 compared to 15-15 in non-conference games. Against other teams in the Central Division, they are 10-7.

As the favorite, the Bucks have gone 45-22 this season and have a scoring differential of +5.8 points per game. As the favorite, their ATS record is 29-38 compared to 7-9 as the underdog.

In their games this season, the Bucks are 41-42 on the O/U. The under has hit in their last two games and in six of their 82 games, the O/U line has been lower than today’s line of 220.5.

Milwaukee comes into the game as the 4th highest scoring team in the league, at 119 points per game. Their scoring average is even better at home, as they are 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. In terms of three-point shooting, the Bucks are 5th in both attempts and makes, averaging 14.2 made threes on 38.1 attempts per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely out for the game with a calf injury. For the season, he is averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists. Khris Middleton has averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 assists in his last four games. Over his last five games, Bobby Portis has averaged 16.2 points and 9.6 rebounds. Damian Lillard is averaging 24.3 points and 7 assists this season.

Coming into tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks are 21st in the league in points allowed per game at 116.1. On the season, opposing teams are shooting 47.0% from the field against the Bucks.

Over their last five games, Milwaukee has been much stingier on the defensive end, giving up just 104.4 points per game. During this stretch, they have been particularly effective at defending the three-point line, holding opponents to just 31.2% shooting from beyond the arc.

On the year, the Bucks are 15th in blocked shots per game at 5.0 and 26th in steals at 6.8.