Milwaukee (1-1) at Indiana (1-1)
When: Friday, April 26th 2024
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse,
Indianapolis, IN
Time: 5:30 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Indiana -4/224.5
The Indiana Pacers bounced back in a big way after a disappointing Game 1 loss and will now look to take control of their series with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers host Milwaukee late Friday afternoon with the series tied at one apiece. Indiana was favored by 1.5 points in the series opener, but were scorched by Damian Lillard in the first half and never recovered. Milwaukee then became a 1-point favorite in Game 2 and the Pacers responded with a 125-108 triumph and now have all the confidence.
Milwaukee super-star Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed his team’s last five games dating back to the regular season due to a left calf injury and has started doing light workouts. He is still listed as OUT on the injury report as of Thursday afternoon, but knowing the NBA, he could be a go by game time. Indiana took advantage in the interior on Tuesday with a 52-36 edge in points in the paint and shot a blistering 55.6 percent from the floor. The Pacers come into Game 3 as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 221.5.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Lillard has been terrific in the first half of both games, but hasn’t down much after the break. He scored all 35 of his points in the first half in the series opener before scoring 26 of his 34 points over the first two quarters on Tuesday. Bobby Portis recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds in Game 2 after fouling out in Game 1. Brook Lopez scored 22 points and was 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, but only had one rebound. The Bucks are now just 3-7 SU and ATS over their last 10 games and haven’t won a road game in almost a month.
INDIANA PACERS
Pacal Siakam is proving to be the best trade deadline pickup in the league. He followed up his 36-point, 13-rebound performance in Game 1 with 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on Tuesday. He is the first NBA player to open the playoffs with consecutive performances of at least 35 points and 10 rebounds since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. Myles Turner recorded 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in a great all-around effort in Game 2. All five starters scored in double-digits on Tuesday including Andrew Nembhard’s 20 on 8-of-11 shooting.
Prediction:
I’ve backed the Pacers in the first two games and I’ll do it again on Friday. Even with Giannis in the Milwaukee lineup, I’d take the Pacers. Milwaukee has been really bad over the last month and Indiana has gotten a spark from Siakam. Indiana is now 5-2 against the Bucks this year and they’ll make it 6-2 with a win and cover in Game 3.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
