The No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers battle in Game 1 of their first-round matchup of the 2024 NBA playoffs on Sunday evening. The Bucks have a home-court advantage and are looking to take control of this series with a win. Milwaukee had the second-best home record in the East this season at 31-11. However, the Bucks are expected to be without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in this matchup.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Indiana is the 1-point favorite in the latest Pacers vs. Bucks odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 231.5. Before making any Bucks vs. Pacers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Pacers and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Pacers vs. Bucks:
- Pacers vs. Bucks spread: Indiana -1
- Pacers vs. Bucks over/under: 231.5 points
- Pacers vs. Bucks money line: Indiana -120, Milwaukee +100
- IND: The Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Milwaukee
- MIL: The Bucks are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games
- Pacers vs. Bucks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Bucks can cover
Forward Khris Middleton will have to step up but he's shown he's capable of that in the past. Middleton has a nice jumper from the outside to space the floor and can score off the dribble. The 32-year-old averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. He scored 17-plus points in two straight games to end the regular season. In his last outing, Middleton had 17 points and five assists.
Center Brook Lopez stands at 7'1 but is a floor spacer. Lopez can shoot from 3-point range with ease while being a serious shot blocker. The Stanford product logged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game during the regular season. Additionally, he shot 36% from beyond the arc. In the Jan. 3 game against the Pacers, Lopez dropped 16 points, five boards, and knocked down two 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pacers can cover
Center Myles Turner makes things difficult on opposing players in the paint. Turner brings elite rim protection to the lane while owning the bounce to rise up for dunks. He also has the jumper to hit 3-pointers. The Texas product averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per contest. Additionally, he made 35% of his 3-point attempts. On April 14, Turner finished with 31 points, 12 boards, and four blocks.
Forward Aaron Nesmith is a great swingman and two-way threat. Nesmith continues to be very active off the ball as both a cutter and perimeter shooter. The Vanderbilt product runs with tremendous effort as a defender. He put up 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shoots 41% from downtown. Nesmith dropped 15-plus points in three of his last five games. In the April 12 loss to the Cavaliers, he totaled 15 points and six rebounds. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pacers vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 233 points. The model also says one side hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Pacers, and which side hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,600 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
