It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Indiana Pacers (20-19) welcome the Milwaukee Bucks (21-17) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 8, 2018.
Indiana is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 214 points.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Prediction
The Bucks will be hoping for similar success after beating the Washington Wizards in their last game, 110-103. The Bucks had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 18.9) and had a free throw rate of 0.313 (above their season average of 0.219). With 34 points on 12-for-17 shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the game’s high scorer.
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they had no trouble getting past the Chicago Bulls, 125-86. The Pacers, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.9, had a great mark of 27.8 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.645 (above their season average of 0.532). Victor Oladipo was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting.
Indiana should have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Pacers rank eighth in offensive efficiency, while Milwaukee ranks 24th in defensive efficiency.
Milwaukee heads into the contest with records of 21-17 straight up (SU) and 18-15-5 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Bucks are involved, as 63.2 percent of their games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 20-19 SU and 21-18 ATS. In opposition of Milwaukee, just over half of Pacers games have finished under the total.
Cory Joseph has averaged 9.8 points and 4.4 assists over the last five games for Indiana.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup, in which the Bucks defeated the Pacers 122-101, covering as 7.5-point favorites. He also put up nine rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 223 points, which was 14.5 points above the projected point total of 208.5 points. Milwaukee was effective at getting and making free throws. The Bucks made 25 of their 28 free throws (89.3 percent), while the Pacers were 16-19 (84.2 percent).
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Milwaukee is 10-6-2 ATS on the road with 12 overs, 5 unders and 1 push.
Indiana is 11-10 ATS at home with 13 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 8-2 when they allow below 100 points, while Indiana is 10-1.
The Pacers are 18-8 when they reach the century mark, while the Bucks are 17-11.
Milwaukee ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Indiana ranks 24th (5.3).
The Bucks average 47.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Pacers rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.8).
Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (7.3) while Indiana ranks 15th (11.1).
The Pacers rank 16th in second chance points per game (12.2) while the Bucks rank 29th (9.7).
Milwaukee ranks ninth in assists per game (23.0) while Indiana ranks 21st in assists allowed per game (23.9).
The Pacers rank 22nd in rebounds per game (41.8) while the Bucks rank last (38.5).
Milwaukee ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.6) while Indiana ranks eighth (15.1).
The Pacers are fourth in the NBA with 6.8 steals allowed per game while the Bucks are fifth with 6.8 steals allowed per game.
Indiana ranks 25th in three pointers attempted per game (25.2) while Milwaukee ranks 26th (24.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
Indiana is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bucks have outscored opponents by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Milwaukee has been defeated by an average of 0.2 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 103.4 points per game (3.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (0.5 below their season average).
