Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the Bucks vs Pacers matchup
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.9 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game
- The Eastern Conference clash tips off from Fiserv Forum at 8:00pm ET on Thursday, March 16th
Milwaukee became the first team to 50 wins this season with a 116-104 victory over the Suns on Tuesday night. Pretty much unbeatable with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup of late, the Bucks have the best record in the NBA. On Thursday, they’ll host a pedestrian Pacers club sitting just outside the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Before we break down the matchup, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
Bucks vs Pacers
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Indiana Pacers | +14.0 (-110) | +750 | TBD |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -14.0 (-110) | -1200 | TBD |
Milwaukee keeps rolling
Milwaukee (51-19) has now won 21 of their past 23 games over the past two months. Giannis returned with a vengeance after missing Saturday’s loss to the Warriors with a hand injury. Antetokounmpo had 46 points and 12 rebounds in a 133-124 win over the Kings on Monday. He followed that up the very next night with 36 points, 11 boards and eight helpers in a 116-104 triumph over Phoenix.
Locked in a tight NBA MVP race with Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, the Greek Freak is averaging 30.9 points (fifth in the league), 11.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists. In his last matchup with the Pacers in late January, he poured in 41 points in a 141-131 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight:
46 Points
12 Rebounds
4 Assists
68% FG
2/2 3PM pic.twitter.com/cOIcYcIFZC— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 14, 2023
Pacers aren’t a pushover
Indiana (31-38) sits just a game behind Washington for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and a spot in the NBA-Play-In tournament. Rick Carlisle’s club has won six of their past 10 games, but are coming off a humbling 117-97 defeat to Detroit on Monday that ended the Pistons’ 11-game losing streak.
Tyrese Haliburton has missed back-to-back contests with a bruised left knee. The 23-year-old star guard has averaged 27.7 points and 13.3 assists since the All-Star break. And, his Pacers are actually over .500 (28-26) when he suits up. While Haliburton practiced on Wednesday, be sure to keep your eye on the injury report before placing your bets.
Milwaukee vs Indiana
Milwaukee is a 14-point home favorite on Thursday night. At 28-6, Mike Budenholzer’s boys are the third-best home team in the NBA. Against the spread, they have a 39-26-4 (60%) record, second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder (62.1%). The Bucks are also covering 60.6% (20-13-1) of games in Fiserv Forum, the seventh best mark in basketball.
Indiana has one of the ten worst road records (12-22) in the league, but they’ve covered in almost half of those (47.1%). Pacers road games skew slightly UNDER (47.1%) on the season. However, Milwaukee home contests hit the OVER 64.7% of the time. That’s tied with the Kings and Celtics for the highest rate in the NBA.
Coach Carlisle 🤝 50 Cent pic.twitter.com/7bUxsBIyIN
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 10, 2023
Best Bet
Fourteen points is a lot, but Milwaukee is operating on all cylinders with Giannis in the lineup. Also keep in mind that the Greek superstar hasn’t played in front of a home crowd in almost two weeks due to injuries and a recent road trip.
Bank on another MVP level performance by Antetokounmpo and a Bucks blowout.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
