The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks will meet in what will be another exciting installment of the NBA In-Season Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 7 (5 p.m. ET).
Oddsmakers are anticipating a high-scoring game, with the Over/Under surpassing 250 points. Between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton, there will be no shortage of stars on display.
Here are the latest NBA odds and best bets for Pacers vs Bucks.
Pacers vs Bucks NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
NBA odds used for these best bets are current as of Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. ET and were found at bet365 Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Pacers (+165) • Bucks (-185)
- Spread: Pacers +4.5 (-110) • Bucks -4.5 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 254.5 (-110) • Under 254.5 (-110)
Pacers vs Bucks In-Season Tournament Prediction
Bucks 135, Pacers 129
Indiana took down Milwaukee once earlier this season, but that game was played without Lillard. Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 54 points and 12 rebounds, but they came up just short in a 126-124 defeat.
The Greek Freak has made a habit of dominating the Pacers, and that’s a trend I expect to continue on Thursday. Antetokounmpo is averaging 36.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists over his last nine meetings with Indiana, including four 40-point games and a 38-point triple-double.
Haliburton also balled out against Milwaukee this year, posting 29 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists in the win on Nov. 9. Lillard will give him all he can take, but Haliburton should have no issues tearing up the Bucks’ 24th-ranked scoring defense.
I appreciate Indiana’s determination to win the In-Season Tournament, but Milwaukee is playing on another level right now, and it has the depth to win this matchup.
Pacers vs Bucks In-Season Tournament Bets
Over 254.5 Points (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
This is an absurdly high total, but it’s also not out of reach. Milwaukee’s win in the quarterfinals over the Knicks came in at 268 points, and the Bucks and Pacers are two of the top three offenses in the NBA.
Indiana can’t defend the rim whatsoever — teams are averaging 62.6 points in the paint against them — making this an excellent matchup for Antetokounmpo. At the same time, Milwaukee allows the most field goal attempts per game, and the Pacers are No. 1 in field goals made.
Lock in the Over with your NBA bet of the day.
Bucks -4.5 (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Indiana deserves respect for knocking off the Celtics, but the Bucks just made the Knicks look like one of the worst defenses in the league, which is no easy feat. The Pacers have heart, but Milwaukee is the team to beat moving forward in this tournament.
Unless Indiana suddenly comes up with a way to defend Antetokounmpo — something it has failed to accomplish for the past several years — it will need a near-perfect effort to take down a healthy Bucks squad.
Pacers vs Bucks In-Season Tournament Prop Bet
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Over 33.5 Points (-125)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Oddsmakers are expecting great things from Antetokounmpo on Thursday night, and they aren’t alone. After dropping 35 on the Knicks in the quarterfinals, the Greek Freak is poised for another dominant outing against the Pacers.
Antetokounmpo has exceeded this total in just seven of his first 20 games this season, but he scored a season-high 54 in his lone outing with Indiana on Nov. 9.
