The Milwaukee Bucks (6-9) and the Indiana Pacers (6-9) are set to battle on Friday in an Eastern Conference Group B matchup in the 2024 NBA Cup. The Pacers are on a two-game losing streak, falling 130-113 to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Bucks have won two games in a row, an in their previous contest, they beat the Chicago Bulls 122-106. Indiana beat Milwaukee in six games in last year’s playoffs, while also winning four of five matchups in the 2023-24 regular season. Khris Middleton (ankle) remains out for Milwaukee, as do Andrew Nembhard (knee) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) for Indiana.
Tip-off from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is set for 8 p.m. ET. Milwaukee is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Bucks vs. Pacers odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 236.5. Milwaukee is a -220 favorite (risk $220 to win $100) on the money line, with Indiana at +180. Before locking in any Pacers vs. Bucks picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 5 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 109-74 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Pacers vs. Bucks 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Bucks vs. Pacers:
Pacers vs. Bucks spread: Milwaukee -5.5
Pacers vs. Bucks over/under: 236.5 points
Pacers vs. Bucks money line: Milwaukee -220, Indiana +180
MIL: The Milwaukee Bucks have hit the 4Q Under in 44 of their last 72 games
IND: The Indiana Pacers have hit the Over in 27 of their last 37 games
Pacers vs. Bucks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Pacers vs. Bucks streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Pacers can cover
Forward Pascal Siakam has been Indiana’s best player thus far, leading the team in points (20.5) with 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The 30-year-old has scored at least 20 points in three straight games. In his last outing, Siakam had 21 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Guard Bennedict Mathurin is an athletic ball handler and shot creator in the backcourt. The Arizona product averages 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. On Nov. 18 against the Toronto Raptors, he had 28 points, five rebounds and went 4-of-6 from downtown. This was his eighth game this season with at least 20 points. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Bucks can cover
Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is first in the NBA in scoring (32.1), fifth in rebounds (12.1) and seventh in field-goal percentage (61%). He’s logged 40-plus points in two of his last four games. In Wednesday’s win over the Bulls, Antetokounmpo finished with 41 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Guard Damian Lillard is Antetokounmpo’s running mate. Lillard creates his own shot from multiple areas on the court while having the passing vision to get his teammates’ efficient looks. The 34-year-old ranks 12th in the NBA in points (24.8) and 10th in assists (7.2). He’s logged 10 assists in two straight games. In his previous outing, Lillard had 20 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Pacers vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under the total, projecting 229 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s picks.
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