Central Division opponents clash in Milwaukee as the Bucks look to keep up their strong play at home, and the Indiana Pacers look to play spoiler on the road. Here are our Pacers vs. Bucks NBA picks based on the best NBA odds.
With a win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks became the first team to hit 50 wins and clinch a playoff berth. After three games on the West Coast, Milwaukee heads home to host the Indiana Pacers, who are dealing with a laundry list of injuries. Potentially down three starters and a pair of key reserves, Indiana is staring down a massive spread on the road.
Can the Bucks win in blowout fashion to cover, or will the Pacers show some life and keep this one competitive?
Here is our best Pacers vs. Bucks NBA pick (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
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Pacers vs. Bucks pick
For the third straight day, our single-game preview is spattered with uncertainty. The Indiana Pacers' injury report is longer than a CVS receipt, with all of Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, and T.J. McConnell questionable and both Chris Duarte and Benn Mathurin sidelined. This is a massive spread, and updates to Indiana's availability will have a major impact on the line and how to bet it. Rather than guess who's in and who's out, we'll look to another points prop.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 33.8 points across his last six outings, and he's scored at least 36 in consecutive contests heading into Thursday's tilt with Indiana. The Greek Freak scored 41 against the Pacers in his one prior season matchup in a game that ended with a 141-131 score.
Giannis has averaged 34.1 points per game at home this season. In those contests, he's scored at least 34 points 16 times and at least 35 points 13 times. The Pacers sport the eighth fastest pace in the Association, which should mean more scoring opportunities for Giannis. Indiana allows the fifth most points to opponents at 117.9 per game and the 10th most points in the paint at 51.7. Giannis has attempted 81.6% of his shots in the painted area this season.'
Pacers vs. Bucks best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 33.5 | Over 34.5 | Over 33.5 | Over 33.5 | Over 34.5 |
| -120 | -108 | -125 | -123 | -110 |
We've got some favorable odds at the 33.5-point line, but we can do better. For just a point more, we can get those odds longer all the way to -108, which is better than the standard -110 we can typically find for spread or totals bets. PointsBet and FanDuel are the preferred books for this wager, with FanDuel offering slightly longer and more profitable odds.
Pacers vs. Bucks odds
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Pacers vs. Bucks odds analysis
Milwaukee opened as huge home favorites at -13.5, and that line hasn't changed. Despite the lengthy list of injured Indiana players, bettors have laid 60% of wagers on the Pacers to cover. Indiana is just 3-3 ATS over its last six and has covered in just 16 of 34 road matchups. Milwaukee is 20-13-1 as the home favorite a nd has covered in four of its last six, but the team is just 3-4 ATS when favored by double digits at home.
The point total opened at 234.5, but it's risen as high as 238 at some books, and bettors have placed 59% of wagers on the Over. Both matchups between these two teams hit the Over this season, and both teams have hit the Over in two of their last three.
Pacers vs. Bucks game info
- Date: Thursday, March 16, 8 p.m. ET
- TV: Bally Sports Midwest
- Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Pacers-Bucks pick made 03/16/2023 at 10:25 a.m. ET
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