The stage is set for a thrilling first-round Eastern Conference NBA Playoff matchup as the upstart Indiana Pacers take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent calf injury casts a shadow over the Bucks ability to contend for their second NBA Championship in three years. Meanwhile, the Pacers will be brimming with confidence after dominating the season series.
Let's dive into all the latest Bucks vs Pacers NBA playoff series odds.
2024 NBA Playoff Previews
- Eastern Conference: No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
- Eastern Conference: No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
- Eastern Conference: No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
- Eastern Conference: No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic
- Western Conference: No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans
- Western Conference: No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
- Western Conference: No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
- Western Conference: No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
(Related Link) NBA Playoff Betting History: Key Trends, Tips
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +118 |
| Indiana Pacers | -144 |
With so much uncertainty surrounding the health of Giannis, the Bucks are now underdogs despite being the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee was upset by the Miami Heat in the first round of last year's playoffs, after Giannis Antetokounmpo missed time with a back injury. Giannis' health is set to disrupt yet another Bucks playoff run. Due to the injury to their all-world superstar, the Bucks vs Pacers series line has moved significantly in Indiana's favor.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Hub
Bucks vs pacers Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | April 21, 2024 | 7 p.m. | Fiserv Forum |
| Game 2 | April 22, 2024 | 7 p.m. | Fiserv Forum |
| Game 3 | April 25, 2024 | 7 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 4 | April 27, 2024 | 1 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | April 30, 2024 | TBD | Fiserv Forum |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | May 3, 2024 | TBD | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | May 5, 2024 | TBD | Fiserv Forum |
Milwaukee had a significant home court advantage this season, going 31-11 at Fiserv Forum.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Series Total Games Odds
| Total Games | Odds |
|---|---|
| 4 Games | +350 |
| 5 Games | +280 |
| 6 Games | +195 |
| 7 Games | +240 |
Oddsmakers have game six highlighted as the most likely ending to this first round series. However, seven of the last 12 Bucks playoff series have ended within five games. With Milwaukee emerging victorious in five of those bouts.
Indiana's last two trips to the postseason have each ended in first round sweeps. The Pacers make their first appearance in the postseason since 2019-20 when they lost to the Miami Heat.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Series Prediction Odds
| Series Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks 4-0 | +2100 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 | +750 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 | +650 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 | +390 |
| Indiana Pacers 4-0 | +460 |
| Indiana Pacers 4-1 | +550 |
| Indiana Pacers 4-2 | +370 |
| Indiana Pacers 4-3 | +1000 |
Milwaukee to win the series at 4-2 at +650 looks juicy.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers 2023-24 Spread and Total Betting History
| Date | Spread & Score Result | Total Points & Result |
|---|---|---|
| November 9, 2023 | Milwaukee 124 (-1) @ Indiana 126 Pacers Cover | O/U 239.5 (250 OVER) |
| December 7, 2023 | Indiana 119 (-5) @ Milwaukee 128 Bucks Cover | O/U 257 (237 UNDER) |
| December 13, 2023 | Indiana 140 @ Milwaukee 126 (-6.5) Pacers Cover | O/U 266 (258 OVER) |
| January 1, 2024 | Indiana 122 @ Milwaukee 113 (-8) Pacers Cover | O/U 262 (235 UNDER) |
| January 3, 2024 | Milwaukee 130 (-3.5) @ Indiana 142 Pacers Cover | O/U 257.5 (272 OVER) |
Expect to see points scored in bunches, as two brutal defenses go head-to-head. Eight of the last 10 Bucks-Pacers matchups have flown OVER the total. Astronomically high totals could see UNDERS become a profitable play in this series.
Milwaukee was brutal against the spread this year, going 19-23 at home and 16-24 on the road this season. While the Pacers were a bettors dream going 44-36-3 ATS.
Milwaukee Bucks Player To Watch: Damian Lillard
| Games (vs. Pacers) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 20.3 | 32.3 | 26.5 | 5 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
Can Dame conjure up the magic of playoffs past and carry the Bucks to the second round?
He's clearly lost a step and isn't nearly as adept at getting his shot off. Lillard shot an ugly 32% from the field against Indiana this year, and he'll have to find a way to compensate for the loss of Antetokounmpo against a Pacers team that can shoot the lights out. At this point in his career, can Dame Time really go blow-for-blow with Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana? We'll soon find out.
Indiana Pacers Player To Watch: Tyrese Haliburton
| Games (vs. Bucks) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 27 | 53.2 | 37.5 | 5.8 | 11 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
A second-time NBA All-Star this year, Haliburton lit up the Bucks in the regular season. He'll simply look to continue that momentum into the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Odds To Win Eastern Conference
| Team | Odds To Win East |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +800 |
| Indiana Pacers | +2400 |
Without knowing more about the status of Giannis Antentokounmpo's calf, betting on the Bucks to win the Eastern Conference is risky business.
Odds To Win NBA Championship
| Team | Odds To Win NBA Finals |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +1600 |
| Indiana Pacers | +8000 |
Once thought of as genuine NBA Championship contenders, the Bucks have fallen off the pace.
Swapping Doc Rivers for Adrian Griffin mid-season hasn't worked as Milwaukee's faltered down the stretch. The offense is often discombobulated, and their once legendary defense has nosedived after trading Jrue Holiday for Lillard in the off-season. Now, the Bucks will be without their best player for at least the start of the playoffs. With all the odds stacked against them, I can't lay any money on Milwaukee to win it all.
While the Pacers are an interesting young team, they still need a few years, and at least one more major piece before they can be seen as true contenders.
Expert Prediction: Indiana Pacers to Win Series 4-2 (+370)
Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton give the Pacers the one-two punch necessary to give Milwaukee fits in this series. With Giannis set to miss time, it's tough to lay anything on the Bucks.
