Teams that have struggled of late meet in a key Central Division matchup when the Indiana Pacers battle the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday afternoon. The Pacers (23-21), who have lost three in a row and the past eight matchups against Milwaukee, are just 8-12 on the road this season. The Bucks (27-16), who have dropped two in a row, are 16-5 on their home floor. This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The Pacers last beat the Bucks on Feb. 12, 2020.
Tip-off from Fiserv Forum is set for 2:30 p.m. ET. The Bucks are 6-point favorites in the latest Pacers vs. Bucks odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 229.5. Before making any Bucks vs. Pacers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 43-19 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Pacers vs. Bucks and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Bucks vs. Pacers:
- Pacers vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -6
- Pacers vs. Bucks over/under: 229.5 points
- IND: The Pacers are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games playing on one day's rest
- MIL: The Bucks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games
- Pacers vs. Bucks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Bucks can cover
Center Brook Lopez has reached double-digit scoring in 29 games this season, including 10 with 20 or more points. He hauled in a season-high 19 rebounds on Jan. 4 at Toronto, and scored a season-high 30 points on 12 field goals in a win over New Orleans on Dec. 19. He has recorded four double-doubles, including a 20-point, 12-rebound effort at Atlanta on Wednesday. For the season, Lopez is averaging 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.2 assists per game.
Forward Bobby Portis has also been a spark for the Bucks. He averages 14 points, 10 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He has reached double-figure scoring in each of his last 10 games, including five double-doubles during that stretch. In the win over Atlanta on Wednesday, Portis scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Portis has registered 25 double-doubles on the season.
Why the Pacers can cover
Shooting guard Buddy Hield is one of five Indiana players averaging double-figure scoring. Hield averages 18 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one steal per game. He scored 31 points and grabbed eight boards in a loss at New York on Wednesday. Hield has two double-doubles on the year, including a 22-point, 11-rebound effort at Portland on Dec. 4.
With point guard and leading scorer Tyrese Haliburton sidelined with a sprained left elbow and left knee bruise, Indiana will look for shooting guard Benedict Mathurin to pick up some of the scoring slack. He has been red hot since the Haliburton injury, scoring 26 points in a loss to Atlanta and 16 points in a loss to Memphis. He scored a season-high 32 points in a win at Brooklyn on Oct. 29. For the season, Mathurin averages 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
How to make Pacers vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 237 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Pacers? And which side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
