Bucks vs Pacers Game 3 Prediction & Best Bets: Will Indiana Take Control at Home?

After a resounding road win in Game 2, the Indiana Pacers are once again favored to eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks as the series moves to Indianapolis for the next two games. Today, they will look take a 2-1 lead as the two teams meet in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (5:30 pm ET, ESPN).

After the Bucks strolled to a 109-94 win in Game 1, the Pacers evened things up on Tuesday with a 125-108 victory at Fiserv Forum.

The game was competitive into the fourth quarter, and with a little over 11 minutes left, Milwaukee was down 92-88 with the ball after a flagrant foul. But the game turned from there, as Indiana pulled away with a 23-4 run.

• Read on for the best spread, over/under, and player prop bets for Bucks vs Pacers Game 3.
• Find out which betting trends make the shorthanded Bucks a solid pick.
• Learn about the best places to place Pacers vs Bucks bets.

As in the first two games, Milwaukee is likely to be without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) yet again. However, there could be a further injury blow, as Khris Middleton’s status for Game 3 is up in the air due to an ankle injury.

Are the Bucks doomed if they have to play without two of their most important players? The Pacers may have the upper hand, but don’t expect Milwaukee to mail it in.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on today’s NBA playoff action.

Spread

• Milwaukee Bucks +6 (-110)
• Indiana Pacers -6 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 221 (-110)
• Under 221 (-110)

Moneyline

• Milwaukee Bucks +205
• Indiana Pacers -235

Get free and reliable moneyline, spread, and over/under consensus picks for every NBA matchup, including this one, from our NBA picks page.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction and Best Bets

While Giannis is listed as doubtful, Middleton is listed as questionable. Therefore, there is a decent possibility that the three-time All-Star forward can take part.

Middleton went to the locker room in the first quarter on Tuesday but returned and was able to play 36 minutes. However, he did not practice on Thursday, and Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated “Honestly, I don’t know” when asked if Middleton would be able to play in Game 3.

For the big picture, however, it might make more sense to rest Middleton for Game 3 to maximize his chances of being his best for the remainder of the series. Will that approach be taken?

Middleton may not be scoring like he once did, but he had 23 points, ten rebounds, and four assists in Game 1 and still managed 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds in Game 2 while dealing with his injury. So, if he can contribute without risking his future availability, it will be all the better for Milwaukee’s hopes to avoid a 2-1 deficit.

If Middleton, in addition to Giannis, is unable to play, the Bucks will have to survive and thrive with Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis leading the way.

Milwaukee’s Potential Big Three for Game 3

• Damian Lillard: 34.5 PPG (46.7% FG, 50.0% 3PT, 93.8% FT), 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG
• Brook Lopez: 16.5 PPG (56.5% FG, 63.6% 3PT), 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
• Bobby Portis: 14.5 PPG (41.9% FG), 11.0 RPG

A wounded deer can still inflict a lot of damage, so write the Bucks off at your peril. They’re still bringing a lot of experience to the table, and that is invaluable in situations like this.

Their Game 3 efforts should include an improved shooting performance for Portis, who shot 50.8% from the field in the regular season. He didn’t hit 50% in Game 1 (7 of 15, 46.7%) or Game 2 (6 o 16, 37.5%), but since a rough five-game stretch in early January, Portis has not shot below 50% in three consecutive games, nor has he gone three consecutive games without making a three-pointer.

For the season, Milwaukee is 20-13 SU (60.6%) and 13-19-1 ATS (40.6%) in games following a loss (via Team Rankings). Only the Atlanta Hawks (13-33, 28.3%) have been worse in covering after losses. The SU mark is a more respectable 14th, however.

Neither of those is much to be encouraged by, but the Pacers have had their issues with sustained prosperity. For the season, they are just 22-25 SU (46.8%) and 20-26-1 ATS (43.5%) in games following a win, ranking 21st and 22nd respectively.

Will those struggles crop up again and cost them today? The Bucks are certainly in a tough spot currently, but with Lillard performing at a high level, they still have the firepower to punch back and punch hard against the Pacers.

Bucks vs Pacers Prediction: Bucks to cover and win

Bucks vs Pacers Best Bets: 1) Bucks + 6, 2) Bobby Portis over 28.5 points + rebounds (-105 at Bovada), 3) Damian Lillard over 4.5 made threes (+120 at BetOnline & Bovada)

Other NBA Playoffs Betting Information

Where to Bet on Bucks vs Pacers and the NBA Playoffs

Many of the top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of NBA betting odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on odds for every game all season long, including NBA playoffs odds.

Also, you can bet on the All-Star Game, NBA Draft odds, and the major awards like NBA MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and more at most reputable sports betting sites.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. In addition to BetOnline, here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (review)
• BetUS (review)
• Bookmaker (review)
• Bovada (review)
• MyBookie (review)
• Sportsbetting.ag (review)

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Looking to make some player prop picks for Game 3 between Milwaukee and Indiana? Bovada is one of the best sports betting sites for NBA player props, as they offer a plethora of prop markets for every game on the schedule. They also have a hefty welcome bonus for cryptocurrency users (75% up to $750).

Interested in Learning More About NBA Betting?

Looking to learn more about the ins and outs of betting on the NBA? Check out our NBA betting guide. Also, if you’d like to learn more about NBA player prop bets, check out our NBA player props guide.

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