Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoffs first round series?

Playing in the Central Division, The Indiana Pacers closed the regular season as one of the NBA's hottest teams, Giannis Antetokounmpo is seeking revenge for the Milwaukee Bucks and it appears Damian Lillard could make a stunning return from injury in time for the 2025 NBA playoffs, And on Saturday, this rivalry gets renewed in their first-round playoff series.

And on Thursday, the Bucks received some good news, with All-Star guard Damian Lillard progressing from his deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. Lillard has been ruled out for Game 1 Saturday, but is no longer taking blood thinner medication, which could set up his return to the court during the series. Lillard's return would provide a massive boost to Milwaukee's offense, and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has taken on a lot more responsibility in Lillard's absence.

Both teams finished the regular season strong, with Milwaukee ending on an eight-game winning streak.

The Pacers, meanwhile, posted the NBA's fourth-best record since Jan. 1, going 34-14. Indiana is led by point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (5.61).

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks predictions, nba playoffs picks.

Yahoo Sports: Bucks will beat Packers in seven games

Ben Rohrbach writes: "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."

NBA.com: Pacers will defeat Bucks in seven games

Steve Aschburner writes: "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 home-court 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."

FanDuel: Bet the Bucks to advance past Pacers

Aidan Cotter writes: "At the end of the day, even if the Bucks are without Lillard in this series, they still have Giannis. The Greak Freak has consistently feasted against the Pacers of late, averaging 36.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists in nine head-to-head matchups the past two seasons. After injury-plagued postseasons the last two years, a healthy Giannis is unlikely to go quietly this season. I'll take the Bucks to win this series on the back of their two-time MVP."

Bleacher Report: Pacers will win series vs Bucks in six games

Andy Bailey writes: "This season, the Pacers have scored 119.5 points per 100 possessions with Tyrese Haliburton on the floor. And with or without Lillard, Milwaukee doesn't have great options to disrupt his playmaking. Of course, the Bucks do have the best individual player in the series in Giannis Antetokounmpo. And he'll almost certainly put up a gaudy stat line. But Indiana's variety of offensive options (eight players averaged at least nine points and six of those eight averaged at least one three this season) and the uncertainty on Lillard's status will be enough for the Pacers to win this first-round series for a second straight time."

Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks: NBA playoffs odds

The Pacers are -200 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Bucks are +165.

The Pacers winning in five games is at +375 in odds for the outcome of the series. Indiana is at +375 to win in seven games, +450 to win in six games and +900 to sweep the series.

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The Bucks are +550 to beat the Pacers in six games, +700 to win in seven games, +1150 to win in five games and +2200 to sweep Indiana.

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