Check out our free Pacers vs Bucks pick and preview for this NBA game in Milwaukee. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
Pacers vs Bucks NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
- Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
- Date: Thursday, March 16th
- Betting Odds MIL -14, IND +606 | MIL -928 O/U OFF
The Pacers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 31-38. So far, the team has gone 37-31-1 against the spread. Across the team’s previous 3 games, they have gone 2-1 straight-up and 1-2 vs the spread.
In their previous game, the Pacers were favored to win vs the Pistons. However, their 117-97 loss, gave them both a straight up and ATS loss. Indiana struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip away at a 18 point halftime deficit. In the loss, Jordan Nwora led the team in scoring with 20 points on a field goal percentage of 58.3%.
So far, the Bucks have put together an overall record of 50-19, while going 38-27-4 vs the spread. Milwaukee comes into the game having rattled off 2 straight wins. In these victories, the team has an average scoring margin of 10.5 points per game
In their previous game, the Bucks took down the Suns by a score of 116-104. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 1 point favorites. Milwaukee went on to win the game, as they led by 9 heading into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he contributed 36 points while hitting 47.8% of his shots.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Bucks picked up the 132-119 win over the Pacers. The Bucks point margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 5.5 point favorite. So far this season, the Bucks have a record of 2-0 vs the Pacers. Similar to their season-long average, the Pacers averaged 106.75 points per game vs the Bucks. Just like the Pacers, the Bucks maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 119.75 points per game vs Indiana. The Bucks have had the better record vs the spread over the last 5 games, going 4-1. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 13 points per game. Over the course of these games, they averaged 239 points per game, leading a 4-1 over-under record.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
The Pacers come into today’s game as one of the better scoring teams in the NBA at 115.5 points per game (12th). In terms of pace, the Pacers are on the top units in the NBA, averaging 100.4 possessions per game. However, they have not been able to pair this up-tempo speed with overall scoring efficiency, as they are just 20th in made field goals per game.
Defensively, Indiana has had its problems giving up an average of 114.94 points per game (26th).
Right now there are question marks across the board heading into this game for the Pacers as there is a chance they will be without their two leading scorers vs the Bucks. Before getting any money down on this game, be sure to check who is available, as Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton have a combined scoring average of 37.900000000000006 points per game. For the season, Hield is 137th in the NBA in player efficiency and 6th in usage percentage. Through 69 games, he has a field goal percentage of 45.5%. If he is able to take the floor, he will be facing a defense that is 8th in points allowed to small-forwards.
Through 69 games, Milwaukee is the 9th best scoring team at 116.1 points per game. The Bucks come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 14.8 made 3’s per game. One thing that could take the team’s offense to the next level is if they can begin to generate more opportunites at the free-throw line. So far, they are averaging just 16.9 made free-throws per game.
On defense, the Bucks will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 19th ranked unit in points allowed per game.
This season, the Bucks offense has primarily worked through Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 54 games, Antetokounmpo is 4th in the NBA at 31.5 points per game. So far, him and Holiday have accounted for 40% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 50.9 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Jrue Holiday is grabbing 5.1 rebounds for Milwaukee to go along with 7.2 assists.
Pacers vs Bucks Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Pacers +14
- Free Total Prediction: Over OFF
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