Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs Betting Preview

While there are bigger stars in other first round series of the 2024 NBA playoffs, the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks’ matchup with the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers is arguably the most intriguing because Milwaukee’s best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is a doubt for this series, which has made this one a toss up according to sports betting sites.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers NBA 1st Round First Round Playoff Series Betting Odds

All odds provided by Betway.

When to Watch and How to Watch Bucks vs. Pacers

This Eastern Conference matchup will air on TNT, NBA TV, and ESPN. Games 1, 4, and 7 will be broadcast by TNT, NBA TV will cover Game 2, and ESPN will be on for Game 3, with the broadcasts of Games 5 and 6 yet to be determined. Viewers in Canada can watch all the NBA playoff action on Sportsnet. Below is the full series schedule. Italics denote games that will take place if necessary. All times E.T.

• Game 1 at Milwaukee - Sunday, April 21 @ 7:00PM (TNT)
• Game 2 at Milwaukee - Tuesday,  April 23 @ 8:30PM (NBATV)
• Game 3 at Indiana - Friday, April 26 @ 5:30PM (ESPN)
• Game 4 at Indiana - Sunday, April 28 @ 7:00PM (TNT)
• Game 5 at Milwaukee - Tuesday, April 30 @ TBD (TBD)
• Game 6 at Indiana - Thursday, May 2 @ TBD (TBD)
• Game 7 at Milwaukee - Saturday, May 4 @ TBD (TNT)

Bucks vs. Pacers Series Winner Betting Odds

This is the only series that is offering true blue toss up odds on an outright series future for the first round of the NBA playoffs, though we’re not sure it should be. The Bucks are likely to be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for at least the first couple of games, if not the entire series, which is a huge knock on a team that relies so heavily on the two-time MVP to run in transition, protect the hoop, and lead the troops.

On top of that, the Pacers have had the Bucks’ number all year, winning four of the five matchups between these two teams during the regular season. While both of these squads are top four in scoring, they’re also both bottom 10 in scoring defense, and without the Greek Freak in the middle, Milwaukee’s defense will be even more porous.

Another thing to note here is the current form of these two teams. While Milwaukee is the No. 3 seed, they only had two more wins than the No. 6 Pacers. That’s because the Bucks dropped seven of their final 10 games while Indy went on a 7-3 run to cap their regular season.

We think the Pacers should be favored, but we’re not complaining to any NBA betting sites about it. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth here, instead, enjoy a rare gift from the sportsbooks.

Bucks vs. Pacers Series Total Number Of Games Betting Odds

While we love the Pacers to win this series, they are still a very young team that doesn’t defend worth a damn either (27th in scoring defense), which means there might be a good amount of variance in their performances game to game. Damian Lillard may have moved past his prime, but he’s good enough to put up at least one 50-ball to steal a game from Indiana.

Milwaukee’s 31-11 home record is worth noting here too, as they get three of the first five games in Wisconsin. That home-court advantage should help push them to another win, but Milwaukee’s brutal 18-22 away record will come back to bite them in Game 6 in Indiana, which is unsurprisingly tied for the shortest odds here.

Bucks vs. Pacers Series Handicap Betting Odds

We were considering taking a Bucks spread here but since none of their underdog spreads are offering anything juicy, we’ll have to stick with the Pacers. Indiana has one of the most exciting and potent groups of young players on the offensive side, and Milwaukee’s continued lack of athleticism already made it difficult for them to stop Indy.

Now, with their best athlete out of the equation, the Pacers’ young guns might just go nuts. We won’t say they’ll win in five games, but they could, so we’ll take their -1.5 spread at +140 odds so that we’re covered whether they win in five or six.