It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Indiana Pacers (36-27) welcome the Milwaukee Bucks (34-29) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018.
Indiana opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points.
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
The Bucks come in on a high note after beating the Philadelphia 76ers in their last matchup, 118-110. Milwaukee’s 11.0 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Philadelphia, who had a mark of 24.6. The Bucks’ mark was better than their season average of 12.5, while the 76ers’ was above their season average of 14.6. Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was the game’s leading scorer with 35 points on 14-for-23 shooting.
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they edged the Washington Wizards, 98-95. The Pacers made 22 of their 24 free throws (91.7 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 22.2). Victor Oladipo was the game’s high scorer with 33 points on 11-for-20 shooting.
Milwaukee does a solid job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank third in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.228), but Indiana is among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking third by allowing a FTA rate of 0.174).
Milwaukee heads into the game with records of 34-29 straight up (SU) and 26-31-5 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Bucks’ games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 36-27 SU and 34-28 ATS. Of the Pacers’ 62 games that accepted bets, 34 have finished under the projected point total.
The Pacers lead the season series against the Bucks two games to one, including a seven-point victory the last time these teams met. Indiana covered as a 4-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 199 points, which was 12 points below the projected point total of 211 points. The Pacers had a better effective field goal percentage (0.482 vs. 0.438) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (31.0 vs. 28.6). Antetokounmpo played a big role with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Free Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Milwaukee is 16-12-2 ATS with 15 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
At home, Indiana is 18-14 ATS with 17 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
Indiana is 21-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Milwaukee is 16-4.
The Pacers are 30-14 when they score above 100 points, while the Bucks are 28-15.
Milwaukee ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.7) while Indiana ranks 26th (30.7).
The Bucks rank sixth in blocks per game (5.3) while the Pacers rank 25th (4.2).
Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (8.9) while Indiana ranks 18th (12.1).
The Pacers rank 19th in second chance points per game (11.8) while the Bucks rank 28th (10.4).
Indiana ranks 21st in rebounds per game (42.4) while Milwaukee ranks last (39.5).
The Bucks average 45.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Pacers rank 19th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.4).
Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while Milwaukee ranks eighth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.2).
The Bucks average 8.5 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Pacers rank seventh in steals allowed per game (7.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bucks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.4, up from 0.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 104.4 points per game (2.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.0 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
