Milwaukee Bucks (48-34) vs Indiana Pacers (50-32)
Game Info: Friday, April 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm (Fiserv Forum)
The Line: Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 — Over/Under: 230.5
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers will be full of confidence after taking down the Bucks by 123-115 in Game 2 on Tuesday to take a 2-0 series lead. Pascal Siakam led the team with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points with 12 assists while Andrew Nembhard chipped in with 17 points and six assists. As a team, the Pacers shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 36 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 40 points in the first quarter to take an early 15-point lead. They held off a late charge from the Bucks who cut the lead to just two points with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are officially desperate for a win after falling into a 2-0 series deficit in Game 2 on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 34 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists on 14 of 20 shooting. Bobby Portis added 28 points with 12 rebounds on 11 of 19 shooting off the bench, while Damian Lillard chipped in with 14 points and seven assists in his return to the lineup. As a team, the Bucks shot 50 percent from the field and 14 of 35 from the 3-point line as they had to work hard to cut an early 15-point deficit to just two points late in the fourth quarter. The Pacers slipped away in the end. There were plenty of positives to draw from the loss, but they needed more from Brook Lopez who scored just eight points in 16 minutes while Kevin Porter Jr scored just nine points.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last eight playoff road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Bucks have won each of their seven previous games against the Pacers at Fiserv Forum following a loss.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight Eastern Conference First Round games as underdogs.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games against the Pacers following a road loss.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Bucks have lost each of their last four Eastern Conference First Round games as favorites.
- The Pacers have won nine of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last seven Eastern Conference First Round games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a loss.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Kevin Porter Jr. is one of only two players to have recorded a triple-double off the bench this season.
- Taurean Prince ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for 3P% (43.9%) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- T.J. McConnell ranks 6th amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (8.9) this season.
- Bennedict Mathurin ranks T9th in the league for fast break points (277) this season.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The Pacers are still slightly shorthanded with Isaiah Jackson still ruled out, while the Bucks are still missing Tyler Smith. The Pacers are heading into Game 3 with all the momentum after winning both of their home games, but Tuesday’s win was far from dominant, as they almost blew a double-digit lead late in the fourth quarter. Antetokounmpo has been balling for the Bucks recently, but they won’t get anywhere in this series unless the supporting cast shows up. The series is back in Milwaukee and the Bucks are basically playing for their season, so I will go with the Bucks with fingers crossed that Lillard and the role players step up at home.