The third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers will square off in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday. The Bucks stumbled into the 2024 NBA Playoffs, dropping six of their last eight games. Meanwhile, Indiana has won four of the past five meetings. On April 14, the Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 157-115. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is not expected to be fit for Sunday's showdown.
Tipov is scheduled for 7pm ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. In the latest Pacers vs. Bucks odds from SportsLine Consensus, Indiana is his 1-point favorite to win, and his total points over/under is 231.5. Before you make your Bucks vs. Pacers selection, check out NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer models.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 on a $100 player for the highest-rated NBA pick over the past five seasons. This model entered the 2024 NBA Playoffs with an 88-58 record on all top-rated NBA picks this season and returned over $2,600. Anyone who followed this has earned huge profits.
The model has now set its sights on Bucks vs. Pacers and has just finalized its picks and NBA Playoff predictions. Visit SportsLine now to see our model picks. Here are the NBA odds and betting lines for Pacers vs. Bucks:
- Pacers vs. Bucks spread: Indiana -1
- Pacers vs. Bucks Over/Under: 231.5 points
- Pacers vs. Bucks money line: Indiana -120, Milwaukee +100
- IND: Pacers are 4-1 ATS in last 5 games vs. Milwaukee
- MIL: Bucks are 2-6 ATS in last 8 games.
- Pacers vs. Bucks picks: See the picks on SportsLine
Why the Bucks can cover
With Antetokounmpo out for this contest, the Bucks will need several other players to step up. Guard Damian Lillard will be a productive player on the offensive end of the floor. Lillard is a reliable scorer from anywhere on the court while also being a smooth floor general. The 33-year-old averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and seven assists per game. In a game against the Orlando Magic on April 10, Lillard had 29 points, six boards, and nine assists.
Forward Bobby Portis is a difference-maker in the frontcourt. Portis has an effective jumper and can space the floor. The Arkansas native breaks glass, but when he picks up a basketball, he looks like he'll score. Portis averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field. In the last game, he totaled 17 points and he recorded 10 boards. Find out which team to choose here.
Why the Pacers can cover
Guard Tyrese Haliburton provides Indiana with a dominant floor general. Haliburton (6 feet 5 inches tall) has long arms and takes advantage of his height when scanning the floor. The Iowa State player likes to increase the tempo and knocks down perimeter shots with ease. The 24-year-old led the NBA in assists (10.9) and scored 20.1 points per game. He recorded 44 double-doubles this season.
Forward Pascal Siakam arrived midseason and gave the Pacers a nice boost. Siakam is relentless in the paint and uses clean spin moves to consistently create space. This New Mexico product also provides solid protection. Siakam averaged 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. In the final game of the season against the Raptors, the 28-year-old had 28 points and six boards. Find out which team to choose here.
How to make Pacers vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model focuses on totals, predicting each team to score a total of 233 points. He also states that this model hits one side far more than his 50% of simulations. You can only get model picks from Sportsline.
So who will win Bucks vs. Pacers? Who will hit in well over 50% of simulations? This advanced model, which has returned more than $2,600 in NBA pick fees this season, Visit SportsLine now to find out which side you should jump on.
