The Indiana Pacers take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on Sunday, April 21. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Bucks enter as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Pacers come in as the No. 6 seed.
The Bucks will likely be playing without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who continues to rehab from a calf injury he sustained late in the regular season and is listed as doubtful heading into Game 1. Antetokounmpo leads the team in points and rebounds. On the Pacers’ side, Bennedict Mathurin is out for the year with a torn labrum.
The Pacers enter as 1-point road favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 231.5. Indiana and Milwaukee are both -110 on the moneyline.
Pacers vs. Bucks, 7 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Pacers -1
The Pacers won four of their five regular season matchups against the Bucks, and with Antetokounmpo sidelined, their chances to draw first blood in this series increases. The Pacers head into the playoffs playing some of the best basketball they have all year. Both of these teams excel on offense, ranking in the top six in offensive efficiency in the league, but struggle defensively, landing in the bottom half of the league in defensive efficiency. With the Bucks’ biggest offensive weapon eliminated and the Pacers’ successes against Milwaukee this season, I’m going with Indiana to cover.
Over/Under: Over 231.5
As mentioned above, both the Pacers and the Bucks excel offensively while falling short defensively. Even with Antetokounmpo sitting out in this matchup, the over is a more reliable option. The Pacers have hit the over in each of their last five games, and the Bucks and Pacers hit the over in three of their five regular season matchups. We can expect a high-scoring first game as both teams come out swinging, on the hunt for the first win to kick off the postseason.
