Updated January 3, 2024By Dean Etheridge
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is the venue as the Indiana Pacers (+130) look for back-to-back wins over the Milwaukee Bucks (-150) on Wednesday night. The Bucks start the match as favorites and will be looking for immediate redemption when the two franchises clash for the second time in three days. In our latest NBA betting picks, we look ahead to the match and tell you the best bets to place.
What; 2023/24 NBA Eastern Conference
Who; Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Where; Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
When; Wednesday January 3rd, 2024
Tip-Off; 7.10 p.m. ET
Yes, this matchup offers the Milwaukee Bucks an immediate chance to gain revenge for their 122-113 loss to the Pacers on New Year’s Day. The Pacers produced a remarkable comeback at the Fiserv Forum on Monday night. They found themselves four points down (88-84) at the end of the third, but staged a fightback of epic proportions to win the fourth quarter 38-25 and take the match 122-113.
The victory gave the Pacers their fourth successive win. It also brought to an end the Bucks’ two-match winning streak. Now, before we move on to match betting, let’s first take a look at the latest betting to win the 2024 NBA Championship.
Betting to win the 2023/24 NBA Championship
The Christmas period provided a bit of a shake-up in the betting to win the NBA Championship in 2024. Going into the period, the Boston Celtics were favorites at +350. The Celtic are still leading the betting at +340.
Behind the Celtics, the Nuggets are now second favorites at +425, with Milwaukee slipping to +475. Pre-Christmas, the Bucks and the Nuggets were both the +400 joint-second favorites with the best NBA finals betting sites.
The real change has come behind the leading three franchises in the betting. For so long the Phoenix Suns were fourth, and a clear fourth. This is no longer the case. The Suns have seen their odds plummet from +650 to +1000, and they are now joint-fourth in the betting with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Pacers vs. Milwaukee Match Betting
Onto the match, and the best NBA betting sites still have faith in the Milwaukee Bucks. On the money line, the Bucks are -150, with the Pacers at a best price of +130 to inflict another defeat on Adrian Griffin’s team.
On the handicap spread, the Pacers are getting a 3-point start. The majority of the bookmakers have Indiana at -110. But they have been slightly cut to -113 with BetOnline. As the Bucks, they are -107 to cover the spread with BetOnline and -110 elsewhere.
On the total points spread, 257.5 is the dividing line. Both over and under 257.5 is -110. Below are more options from different sportsbooks on our NBA betting table. You can read more about the bookmakers we have used on our online sportsbook reviews page.
The Pacers looking to make it five straight wins
The Pacers are now officially on a roll. They are 5-5 in their last ten, but their comeback win against the Bucks on Monday night was their fourth successive win, following on from victories over the Knicks (140-126), the Bulls (120-104), and the Rockets (123-117).
Tyrese Haliburton has been the main-man behind the Pacers revival and he chipped in with a match-winning 26-point haul in the win over the Bucks on Monday night. If he maintains his excellent form, the Pacers could yet extend that run.
Tyrese Haliburton is the third player ever with back-to-back games of 20 PTS and 20 AST, joining John Stockton and Magic Johnson.
He has the most AST and least turnovers of the three in that two-game span:
Johnson: 40 AST, 8 TO
Stockton: 41 AST, 6 TO
Haliburton: 43 AST, 2 TO pic.twitter.com/fzOwhypJKV
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 31, 2023
Bucks looking to build again
As for the Bucks, they are 8-2 in their previous ten outings. They will be looking to bounce back from their second setback in four matches and for immediate revenge over the Pacers.
A 129-122 loss to the Knicks on Christmas Day saw the Bucks’ seven-match winning streak snapped. After that, Milwaukee looked to be back on song, as they recovered from the Christmas Day setback by defeating the Nets (144-122) and the Cavaliers (119-111) at the back end of 2023.
Both those wins came on the road, but when they got back to the Fiserv Forum on New Year’s Day, even a 30-point haul from the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, wasn’t enough to beat the Pacers – who are fast becoming the Bucks’ bogey-team.
Our Pacers vs. Milwaukee Betting Picks
The Milwaukee Bucks have to look at the bigger picture here. Okay, they have lost two of their last four. But it wasn’t long ago that they were brushing aside the likes of the Knicks, Magic, Pacers, and Bulls during their seven-match winning streak. They were also in command of the match against the Pacers on Monday heading into the final quarter. In short, there isn’t too much wrong.
But as Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted in the aftermath of their latest loss to Indiana, the Bucks may need to start taking the Pacers more seriously and scout them better, as they are now possible playoff rivals. The Pacers have defeated the Bucks three times this season, including in the semi-final of the In-Season Tournament. The Bucks have only defeated Rick Carlise’s team once this term.
The one win for the Bucks was in the aftermath of their disappointing loss in the In-Season Tournament. On that occasion, the Bucks roared back with a 140-126 win just a week later.
There is now a serious rivalry between these two teams as well. And this seems to be bringing the best out of the players on both sides. But as we witnessed the last time the Pacers upset the Bucks, Milwaukee can bounce back and repay with interest.
And we think that will happen again. For our betting pick, we are going for the Milwaukee Bucks to win and cover the 3-point spread.
Milwaukee Bucks (-3)To beat the Pacers and Cover
-107
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Summary
Event
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Location
Gainbridge Fieldhouse,,Indianapolis, Indiana,
Starting on
January 3, 2024
Ending on
January 3, 2024
About the Author
Dean Etheridge
Over the last 10 years, Dean has sharpened his expertise in crafting and revising content for his soccer and cricket betting platforms. Driven by his passion for sports betting and writing, he embarked on a journey of writing about sports wagering.
Although Dean’s preferred areas of focus are the English Premier League and cricket, his extensive sports knowledge enables him to tackle nearly any sport.
Gone are the days of traveling the world to witness events like FIFA World Cups and Ashes cricket, as Dean now prefers the comfort of his own home while enjoying sports.
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