How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers: Odds, picks, predictions, channel
The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers are each preparing for their second game on back-to-back nights. Each team got the win last night. Now, it's time to determine who leaves with two wins and who leaves .500.
The marquee offseason addition of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks has gotten off to a tremendous start. Milwaukee holds a 5-2 record, and while Lillard may not be scoring over 30 points a night like he was in Portland (although he does have 30 points in two of his last three), an enormous weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He's setting new career-lows in field goal attempts per game and minutes played per game. Now surrounded by immense talent, he's finally able to keep his load light to stay fresh for when his team needs him most.
The Pacers have also gotten off to a solid start, posting a 5-3 record after beating the Utah Jazz at home last night. Tyrese Haliburton continues to be one of the league's premiere facilitators, leading the league in assists per game through eight contests. He's picked up his scoring as well, averaging over 21 points per game for the first time in his career, on just two more field goal attempts per game than where he was last season.
Quietly, the Pacers have led the NBA in points per game − Hailburton and company are averaging over 125 per contest. The Bucks offense, on the other hand, has seen scoring dip from last season. Even with Lillard, Milwaukee is near the middle of the league in points per game after leading the league in that category a year ago. Here's how to watch.
How to watch Bucks vs. Pacers:
When: Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBA TV
Stream: NBA League Pass, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling, DirecTV
Bucks-Pacers: Catch NBA action with Fubo
NBA odds: Bucks vs. Pacers lines, betting trends
The Bucks are favorites to defeat the Pacers, according to the BetMGM NBA odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps.
Betting odds, as of Thursday morning:
Spread: Milwaukee (-2.5)
Moneyline: Milwaukee (-155); Indiana (+125)
Over/under: 242.5
NBA news: Exhausted Jokic scores 35 points, Nuggets hold off Curry, Warriors 108-105
Bucks vs. Pacers predictions:
Sportsbook Wire: Indiana 123, Milwaukee 119
Sportsbook Wire points out that Indiana is allowing an average of 121.3 points per game, and that Milwaukee has only reached that number twice this year, and are just 1-1 against the spread when scoring that high. Meanwhile, the Bucks are allowing 119.4 points per game, a figure the Pacers have reached six times. They are 5-1 against the spread in those games.
CBS Sports: Take the under (242.5)
While the Indiana Pacers are one of the most fast-paced teams in the NBA this year, in their last fifteen games with no rest, they are 7-8 against the spread. They'll still be recovering from their game against Utah last night and thus, scoring should be down. CBS is projecting 239 total points in tonight's game.
Fox 19: Indiana 123, Milwaukee 119
The Pacers are just 1-1 straight up this year when they are moneyline underdogs. The Bucks are 5-2 when they are moneyline favorites. Indiana is fifth-worst in the NBA in forcing turnovers. The Bucks are not a very turnover prone team, and thus, should be able to slow down the game and control the clock, giving them the advantage.
Sports Illustrated Live: Take the Bucks moneyline (-155)
Sports Illustrated projects that both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for the Bucks will score more than 30 points. Those totals will be too difficult to overcome, even with Haliburton projected to drop 24 with 11 assists.
Athlon Sports: Take Indiana (+3)
Athlon reports that Milwaukee has been a favorite by three or more points in seven games this season and have covered the spread in just one of them. The Bucks are not dominating their opponents like we've seen in years past. The addition of Lillard was supposed to take the team over the top offensively, but they are not scoring at the same pace they were a year ago. Athlon likes Indiana to cover once again facing the Bucks.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bucks vs. Pacers: Odds, picks, predictions, channel, how to watch
