Pacers vs Bucks Prediction & Best Bets (NBA In-Season Tournament Semis): Can Indiana Send Another Star-Studded Squad Packing?

The advent of the NBA In-Season Tournament offered the opportunity for a team outside of one of the top championship favorites to make some noise and perhaps even contend for the trophy and the big cash prize up for grabs at the end.

Lo and behold, two such teams have reached the semifinals, with the New Orleans Pelicans advancing in the West and the Indiana Pacers advancing in the East. After taking down the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals on Monday, the Pacers will look to bounce the Milwaukee Bucks in today’s first semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (5:00 pm ET, ESPN).

Bet on Pacers vs Bucks and Much More at BetOnline

The Pacers have the lowest payroll of the teams that reached the quarterfinals, as well as a group with a number of young, hungry players that is building and learning how to win. That makes Indiana (along with New Orleans) a team that could really benefit from the In-Season Tournament and its incentives of both money and meaningful non-playoff basketball.

Of course, this isn’t to say that the Bucks aren’t benefitting as well, especially when they are still early in the process of integrating new addition Damian Lillard into the equation.

What the Bucks and Pacers have done thus far in the In-Season Tournament is part of a positive start to the NBA season for both teams, as Milwaukee (15-6) and Indiana (11-8) are currently second and sixth in the East, respectively.

But who will add another win to their ledger and guarantee themselves at least $200,000 per player? As should be expected, the Bucks are favored, but the Pacers have already shown a few times in the tournament that this a spot that they are equipped to thrive in.

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

Spread

• Indiana Pacers +4.5 (-105)
• Milwaukee Bucks -4.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 255.5 (-110)
• Under 255.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Indiana Pacers +160
• Milwaukee Bucks -180

Can the Pacers Do It Again as a Dog?

By virtue of going 4-0 in their group, the Pacers earned a home quarterfinal against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, who also won their group but did so with a 3-1 record.

And they made the most of that home advantage, riding a loud crowd to a 122-112 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana trailed by seven at halftime, but they rallied in the third quarter, fueled by a 17-3 run.

In the fourth quarter, the Celtics would tie the game multiple times, but a four-point play by Tyrese Haliburton with a little over a minute and a half left broke a 105-all tie and put the Pacers ahead to stay.

It was the fourth time in In-Season Tournament play that Indiana won as an underdog, following a home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (+2.5) road wins over the Philadelphia 76ers (+5.5) and Atlanta Hawks (+3.5) in East Group A action.

So, today’s matchup against the Bucks won’t be too much for them, especially when they already own a win over Milwaukee this season, a 126-124 victory in Indianapolis on November 9.

In that win, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 54 points, but the Pacers won behind 20 three-pointers big efforts by Haliburton (29 points, 10 assists, six rebounds), Bennedict Mathurin (26 points, 11 assists), and Myles Turner (21 points, six rebounds, four assists.

However, Lillard was absent for that game due to calf soreness, while the Bucks will have him, Giannis, and the rest of their top six leading scorers, each of whom average 11.4 PPG or more, available for today’s showdown in Vegas.

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Bucks to win

Best Bets: Bucks -4.5 & Bucks team total over 130 points

I love the run that the Pacers have been on in the In-Season Tournament, and I think it has enhanced their stock as a team that could cause a playoff upset come April.

But all good things must come to an end, and I think Milwaukee will be too strong for them tonight.

Best Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs Bucks

Tyrese Haliburton Over 44.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120 at BetOnline)

Haliburton has been a big-time performer in the Pacers’ most challenging games in the In-Season Tournament, and that should continue today, even if Indiana comes out on the short end.

In Monday’s win over the Celtics, he had 26 points (10 of 18 FG, 5 of 11 3PT, 1 of 1 FT), 10 rebounds, and 13 assists, posting his first triple-double of the season.

In group play, he went for 33 points (11 of 18 FG, 7 of 12 3PT, 4 of 5 FT), 15 assists, and seven rebounds in their win at Philadelphia, and he put up 37 points (11 of 18 FG, 9 of 15 3PT, 6 of 7 FT), 16 assists, and five rebounds in the win at Atlanta.

For an added high-value Haliburton prop play, I suggest taking to go over 4.5 made threes (+122 at BetOnline). He has made five or more triples in five of his last six games overall, and he has made five or more in his last four In-Season Tournament games since opening with an 0 of 5 effort against the Cavaliers.

Where to Bet on the NBA

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

In addition to being able to bet on 2024 NBA championship odds, you can make daily NBA picks on games all season long, including tonight’s Mavericks vs Spurs matchup in San Antonio.

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

There are numerous sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for NBA betting. Here are several books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

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.

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