After meeting four times in the regular season and once in the In-Season Tournament, the No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks and No. 6 Indiana Pacers will face off in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Bucks entered the season on the short list of title contenders but now have to navigate an injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee is not expected to have him in the lineup to start the series but there’s a belief he can return later in the matchup. The Pacers are hoping to build on their run to the In-Season Tournament final and hope the partnership between Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam can be sustained.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite series props for this matchup, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bucks vs. Pacers series props
Bucks to win Game 1/Bucks to win the series (+190)
Antetokounmpo is not officially out for Game 1 but we can expect him to sit. The Bucks are 4-5 without him this season. There have been some inspired showings but also some lackluster ones, so it’s hard to predict which Milwaukee team will show up. The Bucks have had a whole week to prepare as if he’s not playing so I think they come out hard in Game 1 and get the win. As long as Antetokounmpo comes back by Game 4, I do think the Bucks end up winning the series. At +190, this is a strong value if you believe in Milwaukee.
Over 5.5 games in series (-205)
I don’t think either team is going to get a sweep here and with Antetokounmpo set to miss at least the first few games, I don’t see the Bucks winning in five games. Milwaukee has been excellent at home this season, while Indiana has the advantage in the head-to-head meetings with the Bucks during the regular season. I do think Antetokounmpo comes back by Game 4, but this is an evenly matched contest even with him in the fold. I think we see at least six games in this series if not seven, so take the over on the number of games played.
Bucks +1.5 games (-165)
As I’ve said earlier, I believe Milwaukee is going to win this series as long as Antetokoumpo is back by Game 4. There’s not much value on taking either team on the series spread but getting the team I believe will win at +1.5 games for this price point is too good to pass up.