Pacers vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Player Props: Should You Balk at the High Total?

While the New Year's Day spotlight will be on the College Football Playoff semifinals between Michigan and Alabama and Washington and Texas, there's a hefty NBA slate on the calendar as well. And one of the best games on the eight-game schedule is a Central Division showdown between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks (8:00 pm ET).

The Bucks (24-8, 16-2 home) are back at Fiserv Forum after ending 2023 with a four-game road swing that saw them split two games with the New York Knicks and defeat the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Entering their first game of 2024, the Bucks are two games behind the Boston Celtics (26-6) for the best record in the NBA.

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The Pacers (17-14, 8-7 away) lost six of seven games before Christmas, but they ended the year on a positive note, winning their final three games. They start 2024 seventh in the Eastern Conference, a half-game out of sixth but only 1.5 out of fourth.

This will be the fourth head-to-head matchup this season between the Pacers and Bucks, with the fifth and final one of the regular season set for Wednesday in Indianapolis. Indiana has won two of three, including a thrilling victory in Las Vegas in the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals.

There have been a lot of points in each matchup so far, but will that be the case again tonight? With the league's two highest-scoring teams duking it out, we're working with one of the higher totals of the season.

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you're interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

• Indiana Pacers +8 (-110)
• Milwaukee Bucks -8 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 260.5 (-110)
• Under 260.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Indiana Pacers +265
• Milwaukee Bucks -315

Last Five Games for the Indiana Pacers

• New York Knicks (home – 12/30/23): won 140-126
• Chicago Bulls (away – 12/28/23): won 120-104
• Houston Rockets (away – 12/26/23): won 123-117
• Orlando Magic (home – 12/23/23): lost 117-110
• Memphis Grizzlies (home – 12/21/23): lost 116-103

Last Five Games for the Milwaukee Bucks

• Cleveland Cavaliers (away – 12/29/23): won 119-111
• Brooklyn Nets (away – 12/27/23): won 144-122
• New York Knicks (away – 12/25/23): lost 129-122
• New York Knicks (away – 12/23/23): won 130-111
• Orlando Magic (home – 12/21/23): won 118-114

Pacers vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Props

When these two teams last met, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a league season-high 64 points (and hauled in 14 rebounds) to lead the Bucks to a 140-126 win at Fiserv Forum on December 7.

Giannis might not hit those heights tonight (or the 54 he had against the Pacers on November 9), but with three consecutive games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, he is entering the new year in fine form.

So are the Bucks, who went 11-2 in December and are 9-1 in their last ten games. After falling at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day, they bounced back by battering Brooklyn at Barclays Center and using a big third quarter to see off the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

The Pacers have actually fared well enough on the road against Eastern Conference opposition, winning at Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia, and Miami. So, I certainly don't discount their ability to come away with the road win tonight.

However, the Bucks are on a torrid run at the moment, and I don't see them being tripped up in their return to the friendly confines of Fiserv Forum, especially when they have played so, so well there to this point this season.

Since it's a new year, I'm going to start by taking the under. After all, most New Year's resolutions are things that we don't end up actually making a habit of, and with that and how many overs I'm going to take from this point on, is the only sensible move to make here.

Prediction: Bucks to win

Pacers vs Bucks Spread and Over/Under Picks: Bucks -8 & Under 260.5 (Both lines at BetOnline – Bet these plays and get a 100% BONUS on your first cryptocurrency deposit)

Best Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs Bucks

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 54.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-135)

The Bucks may be 1-2 against the Pacers this season, but it isn't because Giannis has played poorly in any of the games.

• December 7: 64 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals
• December 3: 37 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks
• November 9: 54 points, 12 rebounds, three assists

Additionally, he is averaging 32.7 PPG, 13.0 RPG, and 6.3 APG over his last three games and is coming off of a 34-point, 16-rebound, five-assist performance against the Cavs.

Where to Bet on Pacers vs Bucks and Other NBA Games

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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