Bucks vs Pacers 2025 NBA Playoff First Round Betting Preview

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks meet Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in first round NBA playoff action. Milwaukee will be out for revenge against Indiana ousted them from the playoffs in last year's first round.

Check out our Bucks vs Pacers NBA playoffs first round betting preview, with all the odds and my expert series prediction:

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Series Winner Odds

Team	Moneyline
Milwaukee Bucks	+190
Indiana Pacers	-230

The Indiana Pacers played inspired basketball down the stretch, finishing the year with a +7.3 net rating across their last 15 games.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee will be missing the services of star guard Damian Lillard, as bloodclots have knocked him out of action. However, when betting on this series, it's important to remember the Bucks boast one of the greatest postseason performers in NBA history in Giannis.

Antetokounmpo will be more motivated than ever to show he belongs in all of those SGA/Jokic conversations as the best player in the world. Remember, he's missed most of the last two Milwaukee playoff series' losses, and has only played in two postseason games since 2022.

Dive into all the NBA playoffs series prices.

Bucks vs Pacers Series Schedule

Game	Date	Time (ET)	Arena
Game 1	Sat. April 19, 2025	1 p.m.	Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 2	TBA	TBD	Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 3	TBA	TBD	Fiserv Forum
Game 4	TBA	TBD	Fiserv Forum
Game 5 (If Necessary)	TBA	TBD	Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 6 (If Necessary)	TBA	TBD	Fiserv Forum
Game 7 (If Necessary)	TBA	TBD	Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana went 12-3 SU down the stretch to lock up the East's fourth-seed and home court advantage in this Bucks vs Pacers first round series.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers 2024-25 Spread and Total Betting History

Date	Spread & Score Result	Total Points & Result
Nov 22, 2024	Milwaukee 114 @ Indiana 115 (-1.5) Bucks Cover	O/U 237.5 (UNDER)
Dec 31, 2024	Milwaukee 120 @ Indiana 112 (+2) Bucks Cover	O/U 229.5 (OVER)
Mar 11, 2025	Indiana 117 @ Milwaukee 129 (-5.5) Bucks Cover	O/U 235.5 (OVER)
Mar 15, 2025	Indiana 119 @ Milwaukee 126 (-3.5) Bucks Cover	O/U 237 (OVER)

Milwaukee went a perfect 4-0 ATS versus Indiana this season, with the OVER hitting in three of four contests. That truly may be the best way to bet on this series, with the heroics of Giannis keeping the Bucks in every game, but both teams piling up the points.

Crucially, Giannis ate the Pacers alive this season, averaging 30 points, 12 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game on 65% shooting.

Indiana may have won 12 of their last 15, but Milwaukee went 10-5 SU down the stretch with a +4.2 net rating of their own. The Bucks are also 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Pacers.

Bucks Player to Watch: Damian Lillard

Lillard's injury is the huge question mark hanging over this Bucks vs Pacers first round matchup. Milwaukee is reportedly "optimistic" Lillard can return at some point in the playoffs after missing the last three weeks of the season with a deep vein thrombosis.

Blood clots are notoriously unpredictable, and travel certainly doesn't help matters. So, I wouldn't bet on seeing Lillard much, if at all, against the Pacers.

Pacers Player to Watch: Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton has no fear of the deer in his home state of Wisconsin. In fact, Hali thrives against the Bucks, putting up an average of 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 10.4 assists in 13 career contests, while shooting 50% from the field, and close to 40% from deep.

The one-time All-Star started slow this season, with many fans even questioning what was wrong in Indiana. However, Haliburton went off down the stretch, averaging 19.8 points, 10.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game, on 50/40/83 shooting to lead the Pacers to 12 wins in their last 15.

Haliburton is fully capable of taking over this series and leading the Pacers to the second round.

Bucks vs Pacers Series Expert Prediction: Bucks Series Spread +1.5 (-140)

I like the idea of fading the Pacers as favorites, and backing the OVER in most contests. However, with lines yet to be released, I'm backing the Bucks series spread at +1.5 games.

Even without Dame Lillard, Milwaukee has the pieces to keep this series close. Remember, Pascal Siakam is banged up on Indiana's end, and has been shooting just 32% from deep over the past month. If he can't get out in transition the way Indiana normally would, the Bucks could keep things close. Siakam dropped 36 points in Games 1 and 2 against Milwaukee last year.

Milwaukee got Bobby Portis back and have been boosted the arrival, and bucket-getting prowess of Kevin Porter Jr. Look for a herculean effort from playoff Giannis to keep this Bucks vs Pacers series close.