Posted on
4/4/2008 4:55:55 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
By Eric Williams
After playing inconsistent basketball all season in veteran head coach Jim O’Brien’s first season at the helm, the Indiana Pacers, (31-44 SU, 35-39-1 ATS, 39-32-4 O/U), are now trying mightily to overtake the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the eastern conference.
The Pacers however, have struggled lately and had their modest two-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday, losing on the road to the league-leading Boston Celtics, 92-77, as former all-star forward Jermaine O’Neal made his return from injury.
Indiana lost for the third time in their last five games in the BetUS Sportsbook and are currently four games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers have seven games remaining, including a date with the Hawks on Tuesday night.
"We've got to try to win all seven of them and hope Atlanta loses some," Pacers center Jeff Foster said.
The Milwaukee Bucks, (26-48 SU, 32-41 ATS, 43-30 O/U), won’t be a playoff participant this season but come into tonight’s matchup riding a two-game winning streak that includes a 110-109 win over the lowly New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Power forward Charlie Villanueva scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against the Knicks while center Andrew Bogut added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pacers have gone 6-4 in their last ten games both straight up and against the spread while the Bucks have dropped seven of their last ten contests and gone 4-6 against the spread.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.
The Pacers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a favorite.
The Pacers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a home underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Bucks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Central.
The Over is 8-0-1 in Pacers last nine Friday games.
The Over is 5-0 in Bucks last five home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Favorite is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Pacers are 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Analysis: While the Indiana Pacers say they are still playing for a postseason spot, the reality is that their season is over and they will need to come with a better effort from the start of the season. The Bucks might not have much to play for either this season, but they are the correct pick for tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Bucks -1 Point/Over 222 Total Points
08:35 PM EST NBA Odds
Indiana Pacers +1 -110
Milwaukee Bucks -1 -110
Over 222 -110
Under 222 -110
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