Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 3/2/2018

Friday, March 2, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Indiana Pacers travel to BMO Harris Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, March 2, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 1 point favorites.

The Pacers head into this matchup with a mark of 34-27. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.5 as they are averaging 106.8 points per contest while giving up 105.3 per game. The Bucks have an overall mark of 33-28. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They are averaging 104.9 points per contest and giving up 105.3, which is a point differential of -0.4.

Valuable Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 33-28-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 25-33-3 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 25-31-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 30-30-1 against the over/under

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

02/05/18 PG Darren Collison Knee is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
03/01/18 F Giannis Antetokounmpo Eye left last game, is "?" Friday vs Indiana
03/01/18 G Tony Snell Thigh is "?" Friday vs Indiana
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is OUT 3-4 weeks
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Myles Turner averages 13.4 points per game in 28 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 6.7 rebounds per game for Indiana. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Victor Oladipo comes into this contest averaging 24.1 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Pacers. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 27.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.2 rebounds per contest and 4.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Khris Middleton averages 20 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per contest this year for the Bucks. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per game and has 4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pacers allow 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they give up 23 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Indiana averages 106.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.44 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 42.3 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks surrender 105.3 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game this season. Milwaukee is 18th in the league with 104.9 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.44. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 39.5 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 22.3. The Bucks are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 108.6, and their offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 16th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 6th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA. Indiana is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league. The Bucks are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.9, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pacers/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Indiana +1

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