Bucks vs Pacers Predictions, Picks, Player Props & Odds (Dec. 31)

• The Indiana Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks on New Year’s Eve at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• The Bucks are just 5-9 on the road this season, while the Pacers are a solid 8-5 at home
• Below, see the Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers predictions, player props, and best odds on Dec. 31

Two of the most frustratingly inconsistent teams in the league this season meet on New Year’s Eve as the Milwaukee Bucks (16-14, 5-9 away, 13-17-1 ATS) visit the Indiana Pacers (16-17, 8-5 home, 14-18-1 ATS) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a matinee that tips off at 3:10 pm ET. Though the Bucks are an ugly 5-9 on the road this year, they are 1.5-point favorites in Tuesday’s NBA odds.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers Predictions

• Pacers moneyline (+104) at FanDuel
• Under 230.0 (-110) at bet365
  

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  Odds as of Dec. 31. Download the top NBA betting apps to land the best bonuses for New Year’s Eve. 

The enigmatic Bucks appear to have entered another downturn. Since winning the 2024 NBA Cup in impressive fashion, the Bucks are just 2-3, including back-to-back losses to the 12-20 Brooklyn Nets (111-105 home) and 15-18 Chicago Bulls (116-111 away).

Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 6.0 APG) hasn’t played in the team’s last four games due to an unspecified “illness” (non-COVID). Oddsmakers clearly expect him back in the lineup on Tuesday, based on both the spread and the player props (see below), which list both Giannis and four of five Milwaukee starters. But the official injury report lists the two-time MVP as questionable.

The Pacers have been equally inconsistent as the Bucks and have lost three of their last four at home. But Indiana is still a solid 9-5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this year and is coming off a hugely impressive 123-114 road win at the reigning-champion Celtics on Sunday.

Tyrese Haliburton (17.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 8.7 APG), whose production is down almost across the board this season, played like the All-Star he was last year, scoring a game-high 31 with seven assists and six rebounds.

The Bucks won the first meeting between the teams this season (129-117 at home on Nov. 22) but the Pacers had their number last year, winning four of five, including both games in Indianapolis.

In addition to the Indiana moneyline, I also like the under on the inflated total of 230.0. The Pacers, whose games averaged 243.5 PPG last season, are playing at a much more conservative pace this season and, as a result, their PPG average is down 12 points (231.5 PPG).

Bucks games are averaging 223.7 PPG and they haven’t gone over 229.5 in any of their last eight.

MIL vs IND Player Props

NBA player props from DraftKings on Dec. 31.

A frequent site, Giannis leads the Bucks/Pacers player props on Tuesday with a point total of 30.5, with teammate Damian Lillard next at 25.5. Four different Pacers players have a total between 14.5 and 18.5.

Giannis also has the highest rebound total at 12.5 while Tyrese Haliburton has the highest assist total at 8.5.

Best Bucks vs Pacers Odds

The Bucks vs Packers spread doesn’t have much of a range across the various sportsbooks. All sites currently have the line at Milwaukee -1.5 with only slight variations in price. Caesars, FanDuel, and bet365 have the best odds on Indiana to cover (-110) while ESPN Bet has the best odds on Milwaukee to cover (even money).

On the moneyline, FanDuel is the only site offering an Indiana victory at north of even money, listing the Pacers at +104 at the moment. The best moneyline price available for the Bucks is -120 at BetMGM and ESPN Bet.

When it comes to the game total there is a slightly bigger range. Most books have the O/U at 230.0 but BetMGM has lowered it to 229.5 (O -115/U -105), which is the best option for under bettors.

Tuesday’s NBA public betting trends show the public almost evenly split with both their ATS and moneyline bets. The Bucks are getting 53% of moneyline handle and 54% of ATS handle. There is a much bigger split on the total, where 81% of O/U handle is on the over so far.