Bucks vs. Pacers predictions, picks, odds for 2025 NBA playoff series

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The Milwaukee Bucks didn't have Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of last year's NBA playoffs. He missed all six games of the series, but he'll be there Saturday when the Bucks and Pacers begin their first-round rematch as part of the 2025 NBA postseason, and his presence remains as compelling as ever – even as Damian Lillard's health looms over the proceedings

The Bucks have won just one playoff series since their NBA championship in 2021, in part because of some unfortunate injury luck that may or may not affect this year's potential run. Antetokounmpo willed Milwaukee back to the playoffs with a retooled supporting cast that didn't include Lillard for the final 14 games of the regular season after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his calf last month. Lillard could miss the start of the series, but the Bucks announced this week he had been cleared to resume full basketball activities.

The Pacers, coming off last year's Eastern Conference finals run, were one of the NBA's hottest teams to close the regular season as guard Tyrese Haliburton rounded back into form alongside forward Pascal Siakam. Those two main weapons, along with Indiana's deeper supporting cast featuring Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith, will be spotlighted because the Pacers didn't have many defensive answers for Antetokounmpo when Milwaukee took three of the teams' four regular-season matchups.

Indiana is the favorite, according to BetMGM, and experts are split on what team will win this first-round series series and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Here's a look at some notable predictions and picks, as well as the latest odds, schedule and how to watch the Indiana Pacers face the Milwaukee Bucks to start the 2025 NBA playoffs:

Pacers vs. Bucks predictions: NBA playoffs series picks

Paste BN Sports: Most experts pick the Bucks

All but one Paste BN Sports NBA expert picked the No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks to beat the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers in their first-round series to start the 2025 NBA playoffs. Paste BN Sports NBA editor Heather Tucker and reporter James Williams each have the Bucks winning the series in six games, while reporter Lorenzo Reyes predicts Milwaukee to prevail in seven games. Paste BN NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt picked the Pacers to beat the Bucks by winning a Game 7 to close out the series.

Ben Rohrbach, Yahoo Sports: Bucks in seven games

"Antetokounmpo is building a résumé that has him on pace to finish as one of the 20 greatest players to ever live. His team has lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. And they could fail to reach the second round for a third straight year. But do not bet on it."

Steve Aschburner, NBA.com: Pacers in seven games

"Both teams hit the postseason with momentum, the Bucks winning their final eight games while Indiana went 14-4 down the stretch and was 15-3 at home after the All-Star break. That last part matters, because this is the first time the Pacers have a homecourt advantage in the playoffs since 2014. The Bucks have gotten an energy boost lately from Kevin Porter Jr. and, in his return from a 25-game league suspension, Bobby Portis. Indiana, however, has a deeper rotation, a fleet of bodies to throw at Antetokounmpo and a determination to get back to the East Finals, where it lost to the Celtics last May."

Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Pacers in seven games

"This is a coin-flip series in every sense of the term. The Pacers have the benefit of homecourt advantage, Damian Lillard's likely limited absence and the benefit of having won last year's series. The Bucks have the benefit of having won three of the four games in this year's season series, with the Pacers' only win coming on a miracle four-point play by Tyrese Haliburton. They also have the best player in the series and in the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The series will likely come down to outside shooting. The Pacers need to hit enough 3s to create space for its offense to get downhill. The Bucks need to hit 3s to make the Pacers pay for the necessary double teams on Antetokounmpo."

PREVIEW: 5 questions that could determine Pacers vs. Bucks series

Bucks vs. Pacers: NBA playoffs series odds

The Indiana Pacers are favorites to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2025 NBA playoffs, per BetMGM odds (as of Friday evening, April 18):

• Series winner: Pacers (-175); Bucks (+145)
• Game 1 Spread: Pacers (-5.5)
• Game 1 Moneyline: Pacers (-225); Bucks (+185)
• Game 1 Over/Under: 224.5

Additionally, a six- or seven-game series is seen as the most likely series length:

• Four games: +600
• Five games: +240
• Six games: +200
• Seven games: +200

Bucks vs. Pacers Game 1 odds

• Spread: Pacers (-5.5)
• Moneyline: Pacers (-225); Bucks (+185)
• Over/under: 224.5

Pacers vs. Bucks: NBA playoffs schedule, time, TV channel, live streaming

The Eastern Conference first-round series between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks begins with Game 1 on Saturday, April 19 in Indianapolis. ESPN, TNT and NBA TV are all scheduled to broadcast games during the series, which could last longer than two weeks with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, May 4.

Here's the updated schedule for Pacers vs. Bucks. All times listed are Eastern.

• Game 1: Bucks at Pacers | Saturday, April 19 | 1 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
• Game 2: Bucks at Pacers | Tuesday, April 22 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV
• Game 3: Pacers at Bucks | Friday, April 25 | 8 p.m. | NBA TV, ESPNU, Fubo
• Game 4: Pacers at Bucks | Sunday, April 27 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
• Game 5: Bucks at Pacers | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
• Game 6: Pacers at Bucks | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD*
• Game 7: Bucks at Pacers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD*

*if necessary

Watch Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 with Fubo