The Milwaukee Bucks (16-14) travel to face off against the Indiana Pacers (16-17) on Tuesday, December 31st. This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and televised on FDSI. The Pacers are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Bucks are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Bucks. Tip-off is set for 3:00 ET.

Bucks vs Pacers

The Bucks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Bucks fell to 16-14 on the season after a 116-111 road loss to the Bulls on Saturday. Milwaukee entered the game as -2.5 point favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total points of 227 fell short of the 231.5 O/U line.

Milwaukee trailed 33-25 after the 1st quarter but took an 84-83 lead into the 4th. However, the Bulls went on a decisive 10-0 run, turning the score from 86-85 to 95-86, and closed out the game by outscoring the Bucks 33-27 in the final period.

The Pacers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pacers improved to 16-17 on the season with a 123-114 win over the Celtics on Sunday. Indiana, who entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game hit 237, exceeding the pre-game O/U line of 231.5.

Indiana took control with a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 107-103 to 116-107. They outscored Boston 38-29 in the 2nd quarter and maintained their lead by winning the 4th quarter 25-23.

Bucks Offense Breakdown

In their 116-111 loss to the Bulls, the Bucks shot just 40.2% from the field, with a 33.3% mark from beyond the arc, hitting 15 threes. Damian Lillard led the way with 29 points and 12 assists, shooting 42.1% overall and 33.3% from deep, connecting on 3 threes.

Brook Lopez added 22 points, making 3 threes at 27.3%, while Khris Middleton contributed 21 points, hitting 4 threes at 66.7% efficiency. Lillard scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, while Lopez added 7 in the final frame.

Pacers Offense Breakdown

Tyrese Haliburton’s 31 points and 7 assists led the Pacers to a win over the Celtics, as he shot 57.9% from the field. Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam each contributed 17 points, with Nembhard adding 8 assists and 8 rebounds.

Indiana shot 52.9% from the field, hitting 9 threes at a 39.1% rate. Jarace Walker scored 11 of his 12 points in the 2nd quarter, while Haliburton poured in 12 points in the 3rd.

Bucks Team Defense

Defensively, the Bucks had a strong 3rd quarter, allowing just 21 points, but they gave up 33 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, leading to a 116-111 loss to the Bulls. Milwaukee allowed Chicago to shoot 47% from the field.

The Bucks allowed 14 three-pointers on 38% shooting from deep. They sent the Bulls to the free-throw line 17 times, where Chicago made 12. Milwaukee finished with 6 steals and 7 blocked shots.

Pacers Team Defense

Defensively, the Bucks struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up 33 points in each, which contributed to their 116-111 loss to the Bulls. Milwaukee allowed Chicago to shoot 47% from the field.

The Bucks also gave up 14 threes at a 38% clip. They sent the Bulls to the line 17 times, where Chicago made 12 free throws. Milwaukee finished with 6 steals and 7 blocks.

Bucks vs Pacers Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Milwaukee has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 110 per game. The team went 4-6 overall in these games.
• In their last three home games, Indiana has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 120. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have a strong straight up record of 3-2. In addition, their ATS record was 3-2 in these scenarios.
• Although the Bucks have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 2-3.

Bucks vs Pacers Prediction

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Bucks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 143-126. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -1.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 230 and our model has the Bucks and Pacers finishing with a combined 269 points. Our pick is to take the over.

---

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

---

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.