Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction NBA Picks 4/23/24
Milwaukee Bucks (50-33) vs Indiana Pacers (47-37)
Game Info: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 8:30 pm (Fiserv Forum)
Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -120 / Indiana Pacers +100 --- Over/Under: 225.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks meet Tuesday in Game 2 East NBA Playoffs action at the Fiserv Forum. Here’s a Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers need a win to even up the series before game 3 on Friday. The Indiana Pacers are averaging 94 points on 39.6 percent shooting and allowing 120.2 points on 49.6 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 36 points and 13 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds. TJ McConnell is the third double-digit scorer and Tyrese Haliburton is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 21.1 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 50 rebounds per game.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to take control of the series with a 2-0 lead. The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 109 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allowing 94 points on 39.6 percent shooting. Damian Lillard is averaging 35 points and 6 rebounds, while Khris Middleton is averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds. Bobby Portis is the third double-digit scorer and Brook Lopez is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 100 percent from the free throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 21.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 47 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report
Bennedict Mathurin is the only player on the Pacers' injury report, and he’s out for the season with a shoulder injury. Jaylin Galloway remain out for the Bucks due to an ankle injury, while Giannis Antetokounmpo has been listed as doubtful with a calf injury. Antetokounmpo remains day-to-day, it feels like, and he hasn’t played since April 9 against the Celtics.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Bucks' last four playoff games.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Bucks' last five games.
- Each of the Bucks' last six Eastern Conference First Round games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Team Facts
- The Pacers have lost each of their last 10 playoff games.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine playoff games.
- Five of the Pacers' last six Eastern Conference First Round games as underdogs against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Malik Beasley ranks 7th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.3%) this season.
- Bobby Portis is one of only 21 players to have scored 30+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Myles Turner is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
- Aaron Nesmith ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bucks rank 29th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.7%).
- The Bucks are one of only two teams to win a game when trailing by 20+ points after Q1 this season.
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.7%).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (49.6%).
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
We entered this series believing the Pacers had the momentum given their previous success against the Bucks and with the Antetokounmpo injury news. And while you don't want to overreact to one game, the Pacers looked like a team that's not familiar with how playoff basketball is played. The Pacers had issues at both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, the Bucks are a veteran group that has a physical style and looked comfortable. I don't expect Lillard to shoot out of his mind more times than not, but the size and physical play of Lopez and Portis is key this time of year. Again, I don't want to completely change my tune, but I liked what I saw from the Bucks, and I'm starting to think they can make a deep run this postseason, especially with a potential return from Antetokounmpo.
Give me the Bucks to take a 2-0 series lead in this series.
Randy’s Pick Milwaukee Bucks -1
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds