Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 12/12/2023, 17:26  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday seeking their first win in this NBA regular season series. Both teams are performing well in the Eastern Conference where the Bucks are currently third and the Pacers fifth. The Bucks have lost both meetings with the Pacers so far this season. One came in the regular season and the other in the In-Season Tournament. Both matches were well-fought and were high-scoring affairs and this fixture should be no exception. Adrian Griffin’s men are coming off an overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls. Their 16 victory of the campaign saw them score 133 points and won by four. The win kept them one game behind conference leaders Boston. Milwaukee, who are averaging 122.6 points a game, have shot 52% from the field in their last three games. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging a double-double with 30.6 points and 10.7 rebounds. In both games against the Pacers, he has scored more than 35 points. The first game in Indiana, saw him drop a season-high 54 points. Milwaukee will have Pat Connaughton and Jae Crowder out due to ankle and groin injuries while Chris Livingston is a doubt.

Only the Indiana Pacers are averaging more points per game than the Bucks. Rick Carlisle's men are shooting 50.4% for the season and are averaging a league-leading 127.6 points a game. They will arrive here confident of claiming the season series. Indiana, who have won three of their last four matches, got back to winning ways last time out with a 131-123 victory over Detroit. This was the perfect response to their disappointing In-Season Tournament final loss to the Lakers. The Central Division franchise lost by 14 and for the third time this season scored less than 110 points. Tyrese Haliburton has been exceptional and has led the team in points and assists and is averaging a double-double. In both games against the Bucks, the former Kings guard led the team in scoring. The most recent matchup saw him drop 27 points as well as 15 assists. Indiana have won 13 of their 21 matches and are three games behind top place in the East. They will be without Andrew Nembhard and Jalen Smith due to knee complications.