Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks December 31st 2024

Today’s matchup between the Pacers and Bucks is set to tip-off at 3:00 ET in Indianapolis. Milwaukee (-118) is currently favored by 1.5 points over Indiana (-101). The Bucks are 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 16-14 record, while the Pacers are 8th in the East at 16-17.

This is a division matchup between the 2nd place Bucks and 3rd place Pacers in the Central Division. Milwaukee has dropped two straight games and is 2 games back of the division-leading Bulls. Indiana is 2.5 games back of Chicago and has lost 3 of their last 4.

Bucks vs. Pacers Key Information

The Bucks fell to 16-14 on the season after a 116-111 road loss to the Bulls on Saturday. Milwaukee, favored by 2.5 points, failed to cover the spread, and the game’s total of 227 points came in just under the 231.5-point line.

Milwaukee appeared to be in control after a strong 2nd and 3rd quarter but faltered in the 4th, where a 10-0 run by the Bulls turned the game in Chicago’s favor.

The Bucks shot just 40.2% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range in their 116-111 loss to the Bulls on Saturday. They made 15 threes, with Khris Middleton hitting 4 of 6 from deep, finishing with 21 points and 6 rebounds.

Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 29 points and 12 assists, adding 11 points in the 4th quarter. Brook Lopez contributed 22 points, and Bobby Portis scored 9 of his 14 points in the opening quarter.

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Defensively, the Bucks had a strong 3rd quarter, holding the Bulls to just 21 points, but they struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up 33 points in each. Overall, Milwaukee allowed Chicago to shoot 47% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Bucks allowed 14 threes on 38% shooting. They sent the Bulls to the line 17 times, where Chicago made 12 free throws. Milwaukee recorded 6 steals and 7 blocks in the game.

The Pacers improved to 16-17 on the season with a 123-114 win over the Celtics on Sunday. Indiana, who entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game went over the 231.5-point line, finishing at 237.

Indiana took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Boston 38-29. After a 33-33 3rd quarter, the Pacers went on a 13-0 run in the 4th, extending the score from 107-103 to 116-107, and closed out the game by edging the Celtics 25-23 in the final period.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers to a win over the Celtics, scoring 31 points and dishing out 7 assists while shooting 57.9% from the field. Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam each added 17 points, with Nembhard also contributing 8 assists and 8 rebounds.

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As a team, the Pacers shot 52.9% from the field, though they made just 9 threes, hitting 39.1% from beyond the arc. Haliburton scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jarace Walker added 11 of his 12 points in the 2nd quarter.

The Pacers gave up 114 points to the Celtics but tightened up in the 4th quarter, allowing just 23 points to secure the win. Overall, Indiana allowed Boston to shoot 46% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Pacers held the Celtics to 29% shooting, with Boston making 16 threes. Indiana sent Boston to the line 19 times, where they made 12 free throws.

We’re putting our money on the Bucks to win, and have the projected score sitting at 143-126. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Bucks at -1.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 230 and our model has the Bucks and Pacers finishing with a combined 269 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Pacers Close Out Calendar in Clash with Visiting Bucks

The Indiana Pacers, fresh off a split series against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, prepare to host the Milwaukee Bucks for an afternoon showdown on New Year’s Eve.

Pacers Look to Build Momentum

After suffering a 142-105 blowout loss in the first game against Boston, Indiana bounced back with a gritty 123-114 victory at TD Garden. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge, scoring 31 points and dishing out seven assists. Haliburton was supported by a balanced offensive effort, with eight Pacers contributing at least eight points.

“We knew we were going to respond. We know who we are,” Haliburton said after the win. “I just want to take what the defense gives me. Everyone is on me to get downhill more, shoot more … every game is about learning, growing, and getting better.”

Pascal Siakam, acquired in the offseason, continues to lead the Pacers in scoring with 19.8 points per game. He also averages 7.2 rebounds per contest. Haliburton ranks fifth in the NBA with 8.7 assists per game, while Myles Turner anchors the defense with 2.1 blocks per game, ranking third in the league.

Indiana enters this matchup with a few injuries to monitor. Obi Toppin is day-to-day with an ankle injury, while Aaron Nesmith (ankle), Isaiah Jackson (Achilles), and James Wiseman (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Bucks Struggling Without Giannis

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off consecutive losses without their star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined due to illness. The Bucks squandered a 13-point lead against Brooklyn on Thursday and followed it up with a 116-111 loss to Chicago on Saturday.

Damian Lillard returned from injury against Chicago and posted a double-double with 29 points and 12 assists, 18 of which came in the second half. However, Bucks coach Doc Rivers admitted the team failed to maximize Lillard’s impact late in the game.

“I got to do a better job of making sure Dame gets the ball in his hands down the stretch,” Rivers said. “We have to have an understanding to get it to him and live with it.”

Antetokounmpo, who leads the NBA with 32.7 points per game and adds 11.6 rebounds, remains a question mark for Sunday’s game. Rookie AJ Johnson also missed the Chicago game due to illness, while Khris Middleton continues to play under a minutes restriction following his recent return.

Previous Matchups and Key Storylines

The Bucks defeated the Pacers 129-117 in their first meeting this season on Nov. 22. In that game, Antetokounmpo delivered a triple-double with 37 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, while the Bucks shot a scorching 47.2 percent from beyond the arc.

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This series carries some recent drama. Last season, Indiana won four of five matchups, including a decisive NBA Cup semifinal. In Milwaukee’s lone victory, Antetokounmpo set a franchise record with 64 points, an achievement that sparked a minor locker-room controversy over the game ball.

Outlook

The Pacers will aim to sustain their momentum against a Bucks team navigating injuries and illnesses. If Antetokounmpo is able to play, it could drastically alter Milwaukee’s fortunes, but Indiana’s balanced offense and home-court advantage position them well for another strong performance.