Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) at Indiana Pacers (3-2)
Game Info: Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. EST (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Betting Odds: Pacers -8.5 (-105) - Over/Under (212.5)
Pick: Pacers -8.5 (-105)
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers will meet for the sixth game of this first round playoff series here on Thursday night in Indianapolis. Milwaukee was able to pick up the victory in game five to avoid elimination at home and now they will look to grab a second consecutive victory to force a game seven back in Milwaukee later this week. Even with injuries piling up for Milwaukee they have still made this a very entertaining series, and they will look too further extend this series with another victory here on Thursday. As these two central division rivals lock up yet again this season, they both come away with a massive victory to further their hopes at winning an NBA championship this season.
The Milwaukee Bucks were without both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in game number five and on top of that Khris Middleton was hampered with an ankle injury throughout the contest as well. However, Milwaukee still figured out a way to pull out the victory and keep their season alive for a few more days and that is a performance they will look to replicate here on Thursday night in Indianapolis as they try to force a game seven against the Pacers.
They once again be without both Giannis and Lillard throughout this game as well, which means they will have to go on the road to Indianapolis shorthanded and pull out a miracle victory for the second game in a row. Although the odds seem unlikely for the Milwaukee Bucks, this is a solid team with a well structured supporting cast, and they are perfectly capable of pulling off upset as long as they get a few bounces falling in their direction throughout this game.
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The Indiana Pacers were able to get the job done on the road in Milwaukee earlier this week and now they will have another opportunity to wrap up this series at home on Thursday evening. They will need both Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton to step up throughout this game on Thursday night if they want to wrap up this series against the Milwaukee Bucks. This is a pivotal game because Milwaukee is the last team I would want to go to a game with especially on the road and with the potential of Damian Lillard returning as well as a healthy Middleton in the lineup for Milwaukee.
Although the Indiana Pacers would likely have talent advantage on the floor because of the lack of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lillard being unknown at the moment it would not be good for that type of pressure after they practically had this series wrapped up. To avoid that they will need to find a way to shut down Middleton throughout this game and limit the Milwaukee Bucks supporting cast if they want to pick up the victory here at home. Tyrese Haliburton will be the X Factor throughout this game and if he is able to protect the basketball, Indiana should come away with a decent victory against Milwaukee on Thursday night.
Betting trends to consider in this matchup:
- Indiana is 28-15 at home
- Indiana is 25-12 after a loss
- Indiana is 20-11 as a home favorite
I expect another close and competitive match up throughout the early stages of this contest on Thursday night in Indianapolis. But in the end, I do look for the Indiana Pacers to finally pull away and put away the Milwaukee Bucks here in this one. If Milwaukee was fully healthy throughout this series, then this likely would’ve been a very different outcome for both of these teams. However, unfortunately, that has not been the case for Milwaukee and I look for Indiana to take full advantage of that and advance to the second round. If they can remain healthy into the second round, they have a great shot at winning the series against either the New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers.
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