Game 6 of the best of 7 series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers will take place on Thursday. The Milwaukee Bucks won Game 5 at home to stay alive, and trail the series 3-2. Indiana had won three straight games to move a win away from heading to the second round.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks had plenty of ups and downs this season, and currently are without their top two scorers due to injury. The Bucks finished the regular season with a 49-33 record.
The Indiana Pacers are the sixth seed in the East. The Pacers were the top scoring team in the National Basketball Association during the regular season. Indiana wrapped up a 47-35 season. The Pacers won 7 out of their final 10 games.
The Indiana Pacers are -7.5 in this game at home over the Milwaukee Bucks. The total was at 215.5.
Indiana Needs Bounce Back
It was not a strong performance from Indiana in the Game 5 loss. The Pacers scored just 92 points in the game. That was the second time in this series where Indiana did not reach 100 points. They lost both those games. In the three wins, Indiana scored 125, 121 and 126 respectively.
The Pacers saw Pascal Siakam score just 12, and Tyrese Haliburton add 16 in the loss. Those two combined for 11 of 26 from the field. Siakam has been strong in this series. The former Raptors forward started the series with 36 and 37 points. Haliburton went for 24 in the Game 4 win.
Indiana was the top scoring team in the regular season. The Pacers were just ahead of Oklahoma City, and then Milwaukee. The Indiana offense scored more than 123 points per game. The Pacers also made 50.7% of their shots, and 13.2 three point shots per game.
Players Step up for Milwaukee
With the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, someone had to step up for the Milwaukee Bucks. All five starters scored double figures in the home win. Bobby Portis and Kris Middleton were the keys. They both scored 29 points, while Portis had 10 rebounds and Middleton 12.
The loss of their two stars means the loss of more than 50 points per game. The Greek Freak scored 35, 34 and 28 in the three games he has played this series. The former Portland Trail Blazers point guard, Lillard scored 35, 34 and 28.
Milwaukee scored 119 points per game during the regular season. The Bucks shot 48.7% from the field, and made more than 14 three point shots per game. Milwaukee struggled down the stretch of the season, going 2-6 during the month of April before the postseason.
Pacers Eliminate Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks found a way in Game 5. They were at home, and played better. The Pacers did not play well, and they know it. Now, we move back to Indianapolis, where the Pacer fans are going to be rocking and rolling for this one. A pair of divisional rivals, with a chance to pull an upset on the line.
We like the Pacers to win this game, but the Bucks give a battle. Milwaukee keeps it close and covers the spread. Our final bet for this game is the Milwaukee Bucks +7.5 over the Indiana Pacers. Enjoy the game and best of luck with all your NBA Betting!
