Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 22/04/2024, 01:43  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 22/04/2024 at 01:43 in NBA Predictions

The Milwaukee Bucks will be at home against the Indiana Pacers for game two of their Eastern Conference playoff first-round matchup. They won game one 109-94 and will want to protect home court before the series switches to Indiana. The Bucks were dominant in game one and are favourites for this match. Damian Lillard put on a huge performance in the absence of the injured Giannis Antentokounmpo and led the team with 35 points. Khirs Middleton put up 23 points with two other players managing more than 10. The Bucks had struggled in the regular season against the Pacers and lost four of five matchups. And without former MVP Antetokounmpo, many had written them off as they had limped into the playoffs. Milwaukee arrived for game one having won just four of their last 12 matches. Antetokounmpo is expected to miss a huge chunk of the first round. The Bucks shot 100% from the line and 37% from three with Lillard making six of their 14 from behind the arc. In the regular season, Milwaukee averaged 118.3 points a night which was the fifth-best offensive record.

The Pacers were overwhelmed against the Bucks and had a poor offensive night. The number one-ranked offensive team in the regular season shot just 39% from the field and 20% from three. Indiana averaged 123.1 points in the regular season and shot 50.4% from the field and 37.0% from three. Rick Carlisle’s men have it in them to pull level at 1-1 and switch the momentum heading home for games three and four. But their defensive frailties are still there. The Pacers ranked fourth from bottom in opponents points per game in the regular season. Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 36 points in game one but no other player scored at least 20 for the Pacers. All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton had a poor game and notched just nine points in 38 minutes. But having dominated the Bucks in the regular season, Indiana will not be worried by game one. Bennedict Mathurin is still out injured and is likely to not be involved here.