The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks meet Friday in the NBA playoffs Game 3 at the Fiserv Forum. Here’s a Bucks vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Bucks vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers look for a statement win to take a 3-0 series lead. The Pacers have won 17 of their last 21 games.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 120 points on 50.3 percent shooting and allowing 106.5 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 24.5 points and 9 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 17 points and 3.5 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard is the third double-digit scorer, and Tyrese Haliburton is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.5 rebounds per game.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks need a win to have any real shot of winning this series. The Bucks ended the regular season with eight straight wins and have gotten killed defensively in their last two games.
The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 106.5 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 120 points on 50.3 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 35 points and 15 rebounds, while Bobby Portis is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Lillard is the third double-digit scorer, and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 31.9 percent from beyond the arc and 68.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 41.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last nine Eastern Conference First Round road games following a win.
- The Bucks have won each of their last seven home games against the Pacers following a loss.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last six home games against the Pacers following a road loss.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games following a win.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Bucks have lost seven of their last eight playoff games as favorites.
- The Pacers have won nine of their last 10 games.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff games as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine playoff games as favorites.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks 1st in the league for points in the paint (1308) this season.
- Damian Lillard ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FT% (92.1%) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.
Bucks vs Pacers Injury Report
Tyler Smith is questionable for the Milwaukee Bucks with an ankle injury. Smith has played 31 minutes in the month of April.
The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.
Bucks vs Pacers Prediction
You can consider the points with the Pacers, as they just haven’t missed in this series and if that continues, they’re going to cruise to a 3-0 lead. However, we know role players don’t perform as well on the road, so I do expect some regression from the Pacers. Also, the Bucks had their chances to win game 2. Lillard has a game under his belt and should be better after getting some of the rust off.
The Bucks won 27 games at home this season, and coach Doc Rivers seemed confident after a game 2 loss. I had the Bucks before the series and despite an 0-2 loss, I’m not ready to write them off just yet. I don’t love the line as it’s a big swing, but I’ll still lean Bucks in a must win.