The Bucks-Pacers Eastern Conference first-round series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday night tied 1-1.
Will Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo make his series debut? That Indiana is -4.5 on the NBA odds hints at no.
Bucks vs. Pacers NBA Betting Odds
Indiana got what it wanted in a split of the first two games of this playoff series in Milwaukee, although the Pacers might end up kicking themselves for not winning both considering the Bucks were without superstar and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a calf injury suffered back on April 9.
We may not get official word on whether Giannis will play in Game 3 on Friday night until pre-game warmups, but it seems rather unlikely as he still has yet to start running or cutting at practice. Rushing back from a calf injury can lead to a torn Achilles tendon as Kevin Durant learned when with the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals against Toronto. Durant would then miss the entire next season.
With the series tied 1-1, Indiana is -140 to win it and Milwaukee +115. It is favoured to end in six games at +140 with the favoured exact result Pacers in six at +325, followed by Bucks in seven at +375. The long shot is Milwaukee in five at +850. On the series game spread, the Bucks at +1.5 games are -150 and the Pacers at -1.5 games are +120. Obviously, it’s hard to handicap any series futures not knowing Giannis’ status. But if I had to say right now, I would go Indiana in six.
Milwaukee Bucks
For our preview purposes, we shall assume that Giannis Antetokounmpo is out again Friday. Bobby Portis, one of the best sixth men in the NBA (he finished third in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year), has been starting in his place. The Bucks had been 8-0 all-time in the playoffs when Portis had a double-double, but that streak ended in the 125-108 Game 2 loss when he had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Damian Lillard followed up his 35-point Game 1 with 34 in Game 2 but was minus-24. Khris Middleton was just 6-for-14 for 15 points and left briefly with an injury but isn’t believed in serious doubt for Friday. Milwaukee got almost nothing from its bench, a group that is significantly weaker with Portis starting.
The Bucks have been massively better on the defensive end since making a midseason coaching change and hiring Doc Rivers. That unit held Indiana to a season-low 94 points in Game 1 but allowed the Pacers to dictate tempo in Game 2.
“I thought it was more our offence versus their defence than the other way,” Rivers said. “They got out on breaks because of our offence. I thought their pressure took us out of sets. I thought we struggled execution-wise on the offensive end, and I thought that bled over to the defensive end.”
Milwaukee is 3-7 ATS in its past 10.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers snapped a 10-game playoff losing streak that dated to 2018 with the 125-108 victory in Game 2. Former Raptor Pascal Siakam has been easily Indiana’s best player so far in the series and had 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on Tuesday. He became the first NBA player to open a postseason with consecutive 35-point, 10-rebound performances since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. Siakam, who has by far the most playoff experience of anyone on the roster, is the first Pacer since Hall of Famer Reggie Miller (2001) to score at least 35 points in back-to-back games.
All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton continued to struggle with his shot (4-for-10, 12 points) but had 12 assists and was plus-17. Indiana shot 55.1 per cent in Game 2, matched a team playoff record with 16 made 3-pointers and handed out a team playoff record 38 assists. In fast-break points, the Pacers outscored the Bucks 14-5. This will be the Pacers’ first true home playoff game since 2019. Centre Myles Turner is one of just two players remaining on the roster from that team. The Pacers went 2-0 against the Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the regular season.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Pacers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 Apr 3:12am | IND | -4.5 -105 | O +224.5 -115 |
| Closing 27 Apr 12:43am | IND | -1.5 -105 | O +229.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
30.44 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
11.52 |
| FG% |
61.1 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
| Points |
21.27 |
| Assists |
10.9 |
| Rebounds |
7.78 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.87 |
| Points |
31.25 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.33 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1 |
| Blocks |
1.33 |
| Points |
21.59 |
| Assists |
8.2 |
| Rebounds |
7.53 |
| FG% |
56 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
| Points |
30.44 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
11.52 |
| FG% |
61.1 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
| Points |
21.27 |
| Assists |
10.9 |
| Rebounds |
7.78 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.87 |
| Points |
31.25 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.33 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1 |
| Blocks |
1.33 |
| Points |
21.59 |
| Assists |
8.2 |
| Rebounds |
7.53 |
| FG% |
56 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
Injuries
Khris Middleton (SF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Chris Livingston (SF)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
MarJon Beauchamp (SF)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Obi Toppin (PF)
Isaiah Jackson (PF)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Myles Turner (C)
T.J. McConnell (PG)
Aaron Nesmith (SG)
James Johnson (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Prob Thurs | Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Prob Tues | Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to partake in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Chris Livingston (SF) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 25 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Livingston is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is dealing with left hamstring soreness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Magic on Sunday. |
|||||
| MarJon Beauchamp (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Beauchamp is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to take part in Sunday's tilt with the Magic. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Ques Fri | Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is nursing left hamstring soreness, and his availability versus the Thunder on Friday is undetermined. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Out Mon | Illness - 27 / 05 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Smith is ailing from illness, and he is unlikely to be on court against the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Aaron Nesmith (SG) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 | 5-3 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Nesmith is managing a right shoulder soreness, but he is expected to play against the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 10-8 | 13-5 | + - |
|
Smith is tending to a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up Sunday versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Obi Toppin (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24 | 11-8 | 14-5 | + - |
|
Toppin exited the previous game with a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's battle versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Isaiah Jackson (PF) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 | 11-8 | 14-5 | + - |
|
Jackson was absent from the last match with a left hamstring strain, but it is expected that he will line up against the Hawks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24 | 12-10 | 16-6 | + - |
|
Smith exited the last contest with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up Sunday against the Heat. |
|||||
| Myles Turner (C) | Prob Fri | Finger - 01 / 04 / 24 | 14-10 | 17-7 | + - |
|
Turner was held out of the last game with a right finger sprain, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Thunder on Friday. |
|||||
| T.J. McConnell (PG) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24 | 15-12 | 19-8 | + - |
|
McConnell is nursing left ankle soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Bulls. |
|||||
| Aaron Nesmith (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 25 / 03 / 24 | 16-12 | 19-9 | + - |
|
Nesmith missed the last game tending to a bruised right knee, and it is uncertain if he will face the Bulls on Wednesday. |
|||||
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Mon | Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 | 17-12 | 19-10 | + - |
|
Johnson has been absent the previous two contests due to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will take the court Monday against the Clippers. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Apr 3:12am IND -4.5 -105 O +224.5 -115 Closing 27 Apr 12:43am IND -1.5 -105 O +229.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 30.44
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 11.52
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.19
Blocks 2.38
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 31.25
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.33
FG% 100
Steals 1
Blocks 1.33
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
Points 30.44
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 11.52
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.19
Blocks 2.38
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 31.25
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.33
FG% 100
Steals 1
Blocks 1.33
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
-
Injuries
Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24Patrick Beverley (PG)
Prob Thurs Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24Patrick Beverley (PG)
Prob Tues Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24Chris Livingston (SF)
Ques Thurs Illness - 25 / 04 / 24Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24MarJon Beauchamp (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Ques Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Out Mon Illness - 27 / 05 / 24Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Obi Toppin (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24Isaiah Jackson (PF)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24Myles Turner (C)
Prob Fri Finger - 01 / 04 / 24T.J. McConnell (PG)
Ques Wed Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 25 / 03 / 24James Johnson (PF)
Ques Mon Personal - 22 / 03 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Prob Thurs Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Tues Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Prob Tues Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24 2-2 3-1 + - Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to partake in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers.
Chris Livingston (SF) Ques Thurs Illness - 25 / 04 / 24 2-2 3-1 + - Livingston is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24 3-4 4-3 + - Antetokounmpo is dealing with left hamstring soreness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Magic on Sunday.
MarJon Beauchamp (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 3-4 4-3 + - Beauchamp is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to take part in Sunday's tilt with the Magic.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Ques Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 4-4 5-3 + - Antetokounmpo is nursing left hamstring soreness, and his availability versus the Thunder on Friday is undetermined.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jalen Smith (PF) Out Mon Illness - 27 / 05 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Smith is ailing from illness, and he is unlikely to be on court against the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Aaron Nesmith (SG) Prob Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 5-3 5-3 + - Nesmith is managing a right shoulder soreness, but he is expected to play against the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Smith (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 10-8 13-5 + - Smith is tending to a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up Sunday versus the Hawks.
Obi Toppin (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24 11-8 14-5 + - Toppin exited the previous game with a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's battle versus the Hawks.
Isaiah Jackson (PF) Prob Sun Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 11-8 14-5 + - Jackson was absent from the last match with a left hamstring strain, but it is expected that he will line up against the Hawks on Sunday.
Jalen Smith (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24 12-10 16-6 + - Smith exited the last contest with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up Sunday against the Heat.
Myles Turner (C) Prob Fri Finger - 01 / 04 / 24 14-10 17-7 + - Turner was held out of the last game with a right finger sprain, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Thunder on Friday.
T.J. McConnell (PG) Ques Wed Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24 15-12 19-8 + - McConnell is nursing left ankle soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Bulls.
Aaron Nesmith (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 25 / 03 / 24 16-12 19-9 + - Nesmith missed the last game tending to a bruised right knee, and it is uncertain if he will face the Bulls on Wednesday.
James Johnson (PF) Ques Mon Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 17-12 19-10 + - Johnson has been absent the previous two contests due to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will take the court Monday against the Clippers.