Pacers vs. Bucks Betting Preview & Pick for Dec 13, 2023

Indiana Pacers (13-8 SU, 13-8 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (16-7 SU, 9-14 ATS)

When: Wednesday, December 13th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Fiserv Forum, WI, Milwaukee

TV: BSW

Point Spread: Ind +6.5/Mil -6.5

Total: 259

Money Line: Indiana Pacers +203/-250

Notable Injuries

Pacers

• Jalen Smith (Out) Knee
• Andrew Nembhard (Out) Knee

Bucks

• Jae Crowder (Out) Groin
• Pat Connaughton (Out) Ankle
• Chris Livingston (Out) Ankle

Recent Form

Facing the Bucks today, the Pacers look to maintain their record above .500, which currently stands at 13-8. In away games this season, the Pacers have put together a 6-3 record, whereas they have a 7-5 record when playing at home.

Coming into today’s game vs. the Pacers, the Bucks are looking to build on their above .500 record of 16-7. During their 23 games, the Bucks have gone 14-7 against teams in the Eastern Conference and 2-0 in non-conference matchups.

The Historicals

The level of competition has been tight in the five most recent games between Pacers and Bucks, with just 1 point per game separating the teams. Indiana has the ATS edge in this span at 3-1-1. In these contests, they averaged a combined 263 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 4-1.

Analysis

In their latest game, the Pacers offense put up 131 points against the Pistons. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 56.5% and made 13 threes. Bennedict Mathurin led the scoring for the Pacers, contributing 30 points. Additionally, Myles Turner chipped in with 23 points.

For the season, Indiana is sitting 29th in terms of points allowed per game (124.8). It is worth noting they have given up a fewer number of points in two straight games.

So far this season, the Pacers’ defense has struggled with fouls, averaging 3rd in fouls per contest. On average, opponents are getting to the line 27.8 times per game vs. Indiana.

Coming off a good offensive performance, Milwaukee’s offense scored 133 points against the Bulls. Their field goal percentage for the game was 51.2%, and they went 30/37 from the free-throw line. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the leading scorer for the Bucks, putting up 32 points. In addition, Malik Beasley contributed 19 points.

The Bucks’ defense is presently ranked 24th in the league, allowing an average of 119.2 points per contest.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Bucks squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 53.6% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 35.7% from downtown.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Indiana has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 138 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three home matchups, Milwaukee has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 120 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• The last ten games that Indiana was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 7-3 straight up.
• Over the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Bucks struggled vs the spread going just 1-2. However, they still had a straight-up mark of 2-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Bucks have a chance to get some revenge on the Pacers, as this young Indiana team took down Milwaukee in the semi-finals of the play-in tournament. However, as we have seen with this Bucks unit, they don’t defend, and they lack depth. I’m jumping all over Indiana at +6.5.