The fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks will take on the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round matchup in the 2025 NBA playoffs on Saturday. This is the fourth playoff series between the teams with Indiana winning each of the previous three. The Bucks (48-34), who were 31-21 within the conference this season, are 20-20 on the road in 2024-25. The Pacers (50-32), who were 29-22 against Eastern Conference opponents, are 29-11 on their home court. Milwaukee will be without point guard Damian Lillard (blood clot).
Tipoff from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is set for 1 p.m. ET. Milwaukee won three of four regular-season matchups, including a 126-119 win in their last meeting on March 15. The Pacers are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Bucks vs. Pacers odds from DraftKings sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 224.5. The Pacers are -225 on the money line (risk $225 to win $100), while the Bucks are +185 (risk $100 to win $185). Before making any Bucks vs. Pacers picks, make 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 betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the 2025 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 156-115 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Bucks vs. Pacers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Pacers vs. Bucks:
- Bucks vs. Pacers spread: Indiana -5.5 at DraftKings
- Bucks vs. Pacers over/under: 224.5 points
- Bucks vs. Pacers money line: Indiana -225, Milwaukee +185
- MIL: The Bucks have hit the money line in 21 of their last 32 games (+13.70 units)
- IND: The Pacers have hit the money line in 40 of their last 57 games (+32.80 units)
- Bucks vs. Pacers picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Bucks vs. Pacers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Pacers can cover
Power forward Pascal Siakam has been dominant against Milwaukee this season. In four games against the Bucks, he is averaging 24 points, 8.5 rebounds and three assists. In a 104-98 win over the Washington Wizards on April 8, he registered a double-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. In 78 games, all starts, he is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 32.7 minutes.
Also helping lead the Pacers is Wisconsin native Tyrese Haliburton. The point guard has played in 73 games, all starts, and is averaging 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 33.6 minutes. He has been a thorn in the Bucks’ side all season, averaging a double-double with 17 points, 10.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and two steals. In a 114-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 10, he nearly registered a triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and three blocks. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Bucks can cover
Power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has put up MVP-type numbers again this season. In 67 starts, he is averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 34.2 minutes. He has crushed the Pacers during the regular season this year, averaging 30 points, 12.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in four games. He is coming off a triple-double in a 125-119 win at Detroit on April 11, scoring 32 points, while adding 15 assists, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Center Brook Lopez is also a key part of Milwaukee’s success. In 80 games, all starts, he is averaging 13 points, five rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.8 assists in 31.8 minutes. He has played well against Indiana this season, averaging 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and two assists in 31.5 minutes. He recorded a double-double in a 111-107 at New Orleans, scoring 20 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, making four blocks and dishing out three assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Bucks vs. Pacers picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Bucks vs. Pacers 10,000 times and is leaning Over the total, projecting 229 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Pacers vs. Bucks, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Pacers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.