The Milwaukee Bucks (2-1) head to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers (1-2) Monday. Tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Pacers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Commencing the season with their NBA Championship rings presentation, the Bucks went out and pummeled the Brooklyn Nets 127-104. They’ve since lost to the Miami Heat by 42 (137-95) and beat the San Antonio Spurs by 10 (121-111).
The Bucks are led by two-time MVP PF Giannis Antetokoumpo. Giannis is the only Milwaukee player averaging over 20 points per game through the start of the season. The Bucks are among the league’s top three-point shooting rosters with SG Grayson Allen and SG Pat Connaughton.
The Pacers took down the Heat by 11 (102-91) in their last outing Saturday. Both of the Pacers’ losses, to the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards, have come by just 1 point each.
Led by PF Domantas Sabonis, who is averaging 26 points per game, Indianapolis is a competent side but not one expecting to have title aspirations.
Bucks at Pacers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Pacers +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bucks -2.5 (-115) | Pacers +2.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bucks at Pacers key injuries
Bucks
- PG Jrue Holiday (left ankle) doubtful
- C Brook Lopez (back) out
- SG Donte DiVincenzo (left ankle) out
- PF Bobby Portis (left hamstring) out
Pacers
- SG Caris LeVert (back) out
- SF T.J. Warren (left navicular) out
Bucks at Pacers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 118, Pacers 116
Money line
PASS on the total with a slight lean to the Pacers as the Bucks are decimated with injuries.
There’s some value with Indianapolis getting plus money at home, but given how good of a regular-season team Milwaukee is even without Holiday and their slew of role players, I’d still play the points instead.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the PACERS +2.5 (-107) as the best bet on the spread. The Pacers have been competing against quality opponents and have lost by just 1 point in both their defeats.
Coming off an 11-point victory in which they held SF Jimmy Butler to just 19 points and the Heat to just 91, the Pacers should again come out with a competitive nature.
Sabonis might not ever be the best player on a championship-contending team, but he can certainly be one on a top-tier team in the East.
With a plethora of underrated role players like PG Malcolm Brogdon and rookie PG Chris Duarte, the Pacers should be able to keep pace with Milwaukee, especially with C Myles Turner roaming the paint and limiting the Bucks star forward.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 229.5 (-115) as it’s the better play and has a bit of juice behind it.
The Over is leaned on by the sportsbooks as both sides have shown aggressive offensive play. The Pacers have yet to go under 100 in a game this season and have topped 120 in two of the three.
Milwaukee has one of the best offenses in the NBA as well, clearing 120 in two of three games also. The Bucks have hit at least 15 threes in two of their three games so far.
Given the pace at which this game should be played the Over is the better bet.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]