Pacers vs. Bucks Prediction
It’s a big matchup in the East today when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Indiana Pacers at 7PM ET. Will the Bucks be able to cover at home?
581 Indiana Pacers vs. 582 Milwaukee Bucks
Sunday, December 22, 2019
7PM ET – Fiserv Forum
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Bucks are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -7.5 points against the Pacers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 219.5 points. The public betting currently has 75 percent going on the Bucks as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pacers on fire
Indiana is riding a five-game win and cover streak right now following a 119-105 win over the Kings on Friday night. The win streak includes victories over the Celtics and the Lakers at home. The Pacers are 20-9 on the season, 7-6 on the road, 17-11-1 against the spread and 16-12-1 with the under.
The Pacers are one of the strongest defenses in the league, allowing just 104.2 points per game while holding opponents to 43.7 percent shooting. Offensively, Indiana is putting up 109.4 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent as a team. The Pacers have a big injury for this game, as Domantas Sabonis is questionable with a hip injury. Sabonis is averaging 17.9 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Malcolm Brogdon, a former Buck, is leading Indiana this year with 18.7 points and 7.5 assists per contest.
Bucks bounce back
After seeing its 18-game win streak end last weekend, the Bucks have bounced back by winning and covering against the Lakers and Knicks this week. Milwaukee is now 26-4 on the season, 14-2 at home, 17-13 against the spread and 15-14-1 with the over.
Milwaukee has one of the best offenses in the league, putting up 120.7 points per game while shooting 48.4 percent as a team. Defensively, the Bucks are giving up 107.7 points per game while limiting opponents to just 41.6 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the Bucks with 31.4 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Khris Middleton is adding 18.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Indiana
The Pacers have covered in four straight games following a win and they are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog.
Milwaukee
The Bucks are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games following a win and 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games.
Prediction:
The Bucks won the first meeting with the Pacers this season, 102-83 at Indiana back on Nov. 16. With or without Sabonis, I would expect the Bucks to roll today. Milwaukee just has too much scoring for Indiana to deal with. Despite being a high-powered offense, Milwaukee has a defense that can compete with the Pacers as well. Indiana just doesn’t have the tempo or shooting to hang with the Bucks, especially on the road. Milwaukee should be motivated to beat their former teammate, so I don’t see a letdown happening this evening.
NBA Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks -7.5