The Indiana Pacers will look to advance to the second round for the first time since 2013-14 when they meet the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of their 2024 NBA playoffs series on Thursday. Since winning their second NBA title in 2020-21, the Bucks (49-33) have been knocked out early in the postseason in each of the past two seasons, including last year in the first round. The Pacers (47-35), who made the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20, have not gotten out of the first round in each of their previous five tries. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Milwaukee, with Damian Lillard (Achilles) questionable. Tyrese Haliburton (back) is questionable for Indiana.
The game from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Milwaukee is averaging 112.6 points per game this postseason, second-best in the NBA, while Indiana averages 111.6, third-best. Indiana is a 6-point favorite in the latest Bucks vs. Pacers odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 217.5. Before making any Pacers vs. Bucks picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
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 five-plus seasons. The model enters the third week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 92-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Pacers and just locked in its Game 6 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the NBA odds and betting lines for Bucks vs. Pacers:
- Bucks vs. Pacers spread: Indiana -6
- Bucks vs. Pacers over/under: 217.5 points
- Bucks vs. Pacers money line: Milwaukee +187, Indiana -227
- MIL: The Bucks are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games.
- IND: The Pacers are 23-18-2 against the spread at home this season.
- Bucks vs. Pacers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Pacers can cover
Point guard Haliburton (back) is listed as questionable, but has battled injury issues the entire series. In Game 5, he played in 34 minutes, scoring 16 points, while adding six assists and four rebounds. He posted a triple-double in a 121-118 overtime win in Game 3, scoring 18 points, while adding 16 assists and 10 rebounds. He had a double-double in Game 2, with 12 points and 12 assists. For the series, he is averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds.
Point guard Andrew Nembhard has also had a solid series for Indiana. He has reached double-digit scoring in four of the five games, including a series-high 20 points with four rebounds and three assists in Game 2 win. In Game 5, he finished with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds. In 34.2 minutes this postseason, Nembhard is averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 assists and three rebounds. See which team to pick here.
Why the Bucks can cover
Even if Milwaukee does not get Lillard (questionable) or Antetokounmpo (doubtful) back, the Bucks still have a formidable lineup as they proved in Game 5. Forward Bobby Portis more than made up for his Game 4 ejection by posting a double-double on Tuesday. In 39 minutes of action, he poured in 29 points, while grabbing 10 boards. He has posted double-doubles in four of the five games in the series.
Another force to be reckoned with is center Brook Lopez. The 36-year-old veteran is averaging nearly five more points than he did during the regular season at 17.2 points per game. In 33.8 minutes, he is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, two assists and 1.6 blocks. In the Game 4 loss, he scored 27 points, while grabbing nine rebounds. See which team to pick here.
How to make Bucks vs. Pacers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 227 points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Pacers, and which side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Pacers spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,600 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
