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The Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers meet in Game 3 of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference 1st-round series on Friday. Tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Bucks vs. Pacers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Bucks have struggled without SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), winning Game 1 109-94 as a 1.5-point underdog as the Under (230) cashed, while the Pacers won 125-108 in Game 2 as a 1-point favorite as the Over (223.5) connected.
The offense for Milwaukee has been steady in the series, with the defensive production fluctuating. In Game 2, the Pacers had 5 players score in double digits, including 37 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists by PF Pascal Siakam, while PG Tyrese Haliburton was good for 12 points and 12 assists. And Indiana had 7 players hit a 3-pointer, with Haliburton, Siakam, SF Aaron NeSmith and C Myles Turner each hitting 3 triples.
The Pacers have won 5 of the past 7 meetings in this series, with Indiana also going 5-2 against the spread (ATS). The Over has cashed in 7 of the past 10 in the series.
Bucks at Pacers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bucks +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Pacers -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Bucks +5.5 (-105) | Pacers -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Bucks at Pacers key injuries
Bucks
- F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) doubtful
- F Khris Middleton (ankle) questionable
Pacers
- G Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Bucks at Pacers picks and predictions
Prediction
Pacers 117, Bucks 110
Moneyline
The Pacers (-250) will cost 2½ times the potential return, and that’s too much risk for not enough reward. Over time, betting such heavy favorites isn’t a recommended option, unless you play it in a multi-team parlay or as part of some sort of boost or opt-in promo.
PASS.
Against the spread
The PACERS -5.5 (-115) are worth a look laying the points. It’s no surprise, but the Bucks are just not the same team when The Greek Freak isn’t 100% healthy.
Milwaukee has lost and failed to cover the past 3 games on the road since April 2, including the past 2 without Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are just 2-8 straight up (SU) in the past 10 games since March 6, while going 3-7 ATS. Trust Indiana to win and cover in this pivotal Game 3.
Over/Under
OVER 221.5 (-115) is worth a look. We’ve seen the Over-Under split in 2 games in this series. The total has gone high in 6 of the past 7 games for the Pacers since April 5.
With Giannis doubtful — keep an eye on his status — for Milwaukee, Indiana will be able to operate down low with a little more ease, as he can be a deterrent defensively. For the Bucks, the Over is 12-8-1 in the past 21 games. Lean high, and enjoy the ride.
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