The Milwaukee Bucks aim to take a 2-0 series lead as they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 NBA action at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night. Here’s a Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers will be aiming to square up the series after getting run over by the Bucks in a 109-94 road defeat in Game 1 on Sunday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 36 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, Myles Turner added 17 points while TJ McConnell chipped in with 10 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Pacers shot just 39 percent from the field and eight of 38 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the intensity of the Bucks early on and quickly found themselves trailing by 69-42 going into halftime. The Pacers did go on a run to cut a 30-point deficit to just 12 points at the end of the third quarter, but they could get no further once the Bucks heated up again.
Milwaukee Bucks
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks stumbled their way into the playoffs, but they will be feeling much better after taking care of business to take a 1-0 series lead on Sunday. Damian Lillard led the team with 35 points, six rebounds and three assists on 11 of 24 shooting, Khris Middleton added 23 points with 10 rebounds and four assists while Bobby Portis chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, the Bucks shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Pacers from the start and were never truly in danger after bursting out to a 30-point lead. The Bucks got only 20 points from their bench, but they were hardly needed as the starting lineup was just flowing in this one.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Bucks’ last four Eastern Conference First Round games.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight playoff games as favorites.
- Each of the Bucks’ last seven night games against the Pacers following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Team Facts
- The Pacers have lost each of their last 10 Eastern Conference First Round games.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine Eastern Conference First Round games.
- Five of the Pacers’ last six games have gone OVER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction
The Pacers are still without Bennedict Mathurin, while the Bucks will likely be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is listed as doubtful for this one. I expect the Pacers to get off to a better start after getting blown out early on Sunday, but with the line so short, I have to stick with the Bucks to get the job done despite missing their leader. Lillard and Middleton were both carrying the offense, and I think they can do it again in front of a packed home crowd.