Bucks vs. Pacers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for January 16 (Back Low-Scoring First Half in Milwaukee)

Bucks vs. Pacers Game Info

• Date: Monday, January 16, 2023
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Fiserv Forum -- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Coverage: BSWI and BSIN

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on MLK Day with nine more games, including a battle between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers rank eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 23-21 record, while the Bucks check in third with a 27-16 record. This lines up as an exciting game.

Indiana enters as a loser in four of its last six games following a 130-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has won five of its last eight games, but did fall short in a 111-95 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday. Which NBA playoff hopeful will win on Monday afternoon?

Bucks vs. Pacers Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bucks vs Pacers Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Bucks	-11	-	-	226.5	-110	-110	-650	480

The Bucks enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 2:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 233.5 points, which is above average when compared to Monday's projected totals.

Bucks vs. Pacers Betting Trends

• The Bucks won 39 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover or pushing 43 times.
• The Pacers went 8-3 as underdogs of 11 points or more last year.
• Bucks games went over the point total 42 out of 82 times last season.
• Out of 82 Pacers games last season, 47 hit the over.

Bucks vs. Pacers Prediction & Pick

The Bucks should get huge boost on Monday as Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return from a short absence with a knee injury. He is listed as probable and leads the Bucks in points (31.0) as well as rebounds (11.9) per game. Giannis' impact on the defensive end cannot be overlooked, either.

I like Milwaukee to earn another home win here. Head coach Mike Budenholzer's team ranks third in defensive efficiency and allows only 110.9 points per game (No. 6 in NBA). The Bucks also give up only 13.1 fast break points per game (No. 10 in NBA), which limits one of Indiana's biggest strengths.

Indiana has also lost eight straight games to Milwaukee, so fade the Pacers on the road.

Final Score Prediction: Bucks: 118 | Pacers: 110

Bucks vs. Pacers Best Bet

Backing the under in this game has value, but focusing on the first half is the way to go. The total has hit the under in the first half in 26 of Milwaukee's 43 games as well as in 24 of Indiana's 44 games this season. Both teams take a while to get going on offense, but shine on defense early.

Milwaukee averages only 55.4 first-half points per game (No. 27 in NBA), but also allows only 55.1 first-half points per game (No. 6 in NBA). Meanwhile, Indiana tallies just 55.9 first-half points per away game (No. 18 in NBA). All signs point to a low-scoring first half in which neither team finds a quick offensive groove.

Bet: First Half Under 119.5 Points (-114)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.