The Indiana Pacers (6-9) and Milwaukee Bucks (6-9) will meet in the NBA Cup tonight. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Bucks are 5.5-point home favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Bucks -5.5), with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. Milwaukee is a -220 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Indiana is +180 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Bucks vs Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, November 22.
Pacers vs. Bucks Prediction, Pick
Spread
I lean toward the Bucks on the spread, but prefer the moneyline instead.
Moneyline
I will be taking the Bucks moneyline in my same game parlay.
Over/Under
I do not have a side on the total.
My Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 51.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
Pacers vs. Bucks Odds, Point Spread, Total, Lines
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 236.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 236.5 -110o / -110u | -220 |
- Pacers vs Bucks spread: Bucks -5.5
- Pacers vs Bucks over/under: 236.5 points
- Pacers vs Bucks moneyline: Pacers +180, Bucks -220
- Pacers vs. Bucks best bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 51.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
Pacers vs. Bucks NBA Preview
Last season, the Pacers and Bucks played some of the NBA's most thrilling and intense games and showed potential for a brewing rivalry between the Central Division foes. The Pacers took four of the five regular season meetings (including in the NBA Cup semifinals) and those games averaged 254 points. Both teams finished in the top-8 in both offensive rating and pace with Indiana ranking second in both categories.
The Pacers have not played nearly as fast this season as they enter tonight's game 11th pace and they have fallen to 16th in offensive rating. That decline in offensive production can be attributed to the struggles of franchise player Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 15.3 points, 8.5 assists, and shooting 37.5% from the field.
Haliburton began last season averaging 25 points and 12 assists for the first few months of the season with all five regular season meetings by January 3 and before Haliburton injured his hamstring against the Celtics. Haliburton has enjoyed some big games against the Bucks in the past, but he still may not be 100% as he has averaged 12 points over his last three games. If he continues to struggle, two of his teammates I expect to pick up the slack are Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner.
Mathurin is the team's second leading scorer at 18.8 points per game this season and that matches his scoring average over his past eight games against the Bucks. He scored 20 points in four of those games. Turner has scored 20 points in eight of his past 17 games against the Bucks and he has made two or more three-pointers in 10 of those games. The Bucks are 27th in threes allowed per game and 22nd in threes allowed to centers.
Indiana also defeated Milwaukee in six games in the first round of last season's playoffs. The Bucks did not have Damian Lillard for much of that series and Giannis Antetokounmpo at all. Unfortunately for Indiana, both will be available tonight and Antetokounmpo has been in vintage form of late.
Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in games with 30 points and 10 rebounds and he is averaging 32.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Antetokounmpo did not have a double-double on Wednesday night against the Bulls, but instead he went for 41 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Bucks have won four of their last five games and Antetokounmpo has been the driving force with a few starters in and out of the lineup. He is averaging 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 7.6 assists over his last five games.
Pacers vs. Bucks Prediction
Tonight, Antetokounmpo has the second-highest PRA-line behind Nikola Jokic, who is questionable. Despite the high number, I still like Antetokounmpo to go over because of how much he has dominated this matchup. There are not many players who can go off for 40 to 50 points without the threat of the three-point shot. Recently, Antetokounmpo went for 59 points against the Pistons and 41 against the Bulls while making one three-pointer.
Antetokounmpo has had four 40-point games against the Pacers in the last three seasons, including games of 54 and 64 points last season. I expect another big scoring night game against the Pacers considering they are 25th in points allowed per game in the paint and last in points allowed to power forwards.
While his points will do most of the heavy lifting, Antetokounmpo has 10 double-doubles and two triple-doubles in his last 11 games against the Pacers. That has helped him reach 52 PRA in six of the last 11 games he has played against Indiana. Though this number has been set at 51.5, Antetokounmpo has smashed it when he clears the over with at least 59 PRA in all six overs and 49 in two of the misses.
The Pacers have been a difficult matchup for the Bucks with their pace and wide-open offense. However, with their offense not as potent this season, they are just 6-9 and 2-7 on the road this season. The Bucks are 5-3 at home and have won four of their last five games overall. I expect Antetokounmpo to carry the Bucks to a win tonight, but two Pacers that I will be backing are Mathurin and Turner.
Best Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 51.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
Same Game Parlay: Bucks ML, Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 51.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists, Bennedict Mathurin 15+ Points, Myles Turner Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (+525)
Pacers vs. Bucks Betting Trends
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