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Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions – December 23, 2025
The Indiana Pacers head to Fiserv Forum for a Saturday night showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks. Tip is set for 8:00 PM ET in what could be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. These two teams met multiple times during the In-Season Tournament — with Indiana winning more than expected.
Milwaukee enters at 20-9, while the Pacers sit at 16-14. The Bucks have looked sharper defensively in December, while Indiana still leans on its elite pace and shooting to win shootouts. Expect fireworks — and possible playoff-level tension — in this Eastern Conference clash.
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Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds
Check the latest NBA odds for real-time line movement, but here’s where the market currently stands:
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | +195 | +5.5 (-110) | O 246.5 (-110) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -235 | -5.5 (-110) | U 246.5 (-110) |
Indiana Pacers Betting Form
The Pacers play fast — maybe too fast. They lead the league in pace and offensive rating but rank near the bottom in defensive metrics. Their approach is simple: outrun and outshoot opponents. Tyrese Haliburton continues his All-NBA campaign, and shooters like Bennedict Mathurin and Buddy Hield keep the floor spaced.
The problem? They can’t get stops. Indiana allows the most points per game in the NBA and struggles to defend size inside. That’s a bad recipe against Giannis and Brook Lopez. Still, they’ve covered in four of their last six against Milwaukee and seem to have a mental edge.
Monitor the Indiana Pacers injury report for Haliburton’s status — he’s missed occasional games on back-to-backs.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Form
The Milwaukee Bucks are quietly locking in. Since the In-Season Tournament loss to Indiana, they’ve adjusted defensively — especially at home. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains dominant inside, while Damian Lillard has provided the late-game scoring punch they lacked last season.
Defensively, they’ve started to switch less and protect the rim more, leading to a drop in opponent FG%. Still, this team can bleed points in transition — which is where Indiana excels. Brook Lopez is key here; his rim protection will be tested constantly.
Keep an eye on the Milwaukee Bucks injury report for rest risks or late lineup shifts.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is all about tempo and interior control. The Pacers want 115+ possessions and quick trigger threes. The Bucks want to slow things down, punish mismatches inside, and win the rebounding and FT battle.
Key matchup angles:
- Bucks allow the 3rd-fewest rim attempts per game
- Pacers lead the league in assist rate and paint points
- Milwaukee is 13-3 at home this season
- Over is 8-2 in last 10 Pacers games vs Bucks
This is a great game to explore prop markets or try a parlay bet using team totals and sides. Also, learn how moneyline betting impacts risk-reward here.
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks Predictions and Best Bets
This total is massive — but justifiably so. Indiana can’t stop anyone, and Milwaukee can get whatever it wants in the paint. If the Bucks slow the pace a bit, that could tilt value toward their side ATS. But Indiana’s style gives them chances to backdoor cover, especially with late-game shot volume.
I lean Bucks -5.5 but prefer the Over. Unless Haliburton sits or shooting variance hits hard, this looks like a 250-point script again.
Want to lower juice? Explore alternate total points or hedge plays in case of blowout.
Best Bet: Over 246.5 (-110).
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