NBA Wednesday Tips: Stampeding Bucks pacing themselves for deep playoff run

The Milwaukee Bucks take the short hop south to face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday with momentum on their side as the post-season nears. Mark Woods previews the action.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers

Tipoff: 12am Thursday BST 

Perhaps it’s the metropolitan snobbery which creeps up within America when it peers in from its Atlantic and Pacific coasts, or maybe we simply take greatness for granted. Take a reality check in either case. No team will take more momentum into the forthcoming NBA Playoffs than the Milwaukee Bucks. No-one else has the form and pedigree that they possess.

Numbers only tell part of the tale. The 2021 champs have gone 25-4 over their last 29 games, outscoring opponents by an average of 9.7 points. In that spell, they have averaged a league-best 123.8 points. If not for a curious mediocrity at the foul line, that tally would be higher still.

That’s before we talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career-best 31.1 points per contest, and that Khris Middleton is only now returning to his cosmic pomp after injury. No wonder that the Bucks’ NBA Championship odds are at 4 – the favourites, by a small margin, over the Boston Celtics.

The markets also put them at 2.26 in the NBA Eastern Conference betting. There is a lot to like, even if a subtle PR campaign by Antetokounmpo for a third NBA Most Valuable Player prize seems doomed to fail. Nikola Jokic has recaptured favouritism at 1.91 ahead of Joel Embiid. The ‘Greek Freak’, at 4.4, is a maligned long shot.

Last weekend’s loss to Denver underlined just why Milwaukee will go all out to top the East standings over a testing seven-game run-in. The Nuggets, as good as ever on their home court, dished out a 126-109 drubbing in a potential NBA Finals rehearsal.

The Bucks have just a single game lead over Boston. Antetokounmpo was rested for a predictable win over Detroit on Monday, but is probable to feature against a Pacers side that remains competitive despite a three-game slide that has surely demolished their play-in hopes.

The visitors – priced at 1.15 for the win - are 27-8 against sub-.500 foes this term and have won by an average of 24.3 points in their last three clashes with teams that boast a losing record. If the Greek features, the Bucks can stampede.

Prediction: Over 234 points @ 2.3

Dallas Mavericks @ Philadelphia 76ers

Tipoff: 12.30am Thursday BST (BBC One)

The Mavs spectacular slide continues apace. They will look for respite tonight in Philly as the Sixers return home after a three-game skid on the road sunk their shot at the number one seed. Embiid and James Harden could both sit this game out, and there is some case to let them recuperate with no probable between coming either third or fourth in the East. 

Dallas busted out of its slump with a 23-points bashing of the Pacers on Monday, but they’re just 8-13 since trading for Kyrie Irving and 4-8 when he plays with Luka Doncic.

Dallas’ defence remains borderline bonkers. The short-handed 76ers have managed 109.3 points per game in their losses and that still makes them a threat, but the Mavs should have enough to cover the spread.

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks +5 @ 1.98 

Miami Heat @ New York Knicks

Tipoff: 12.30am Thursday BST 

The Heat still have a golden opportunity to sneak by Brooklyn and finally take possession of the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the East - that would help them avoid the Lottery. 

However, the Knicks won’t willingly do the Nets any favours despite their rivalry, not after losing 127-120 to Miami last week. New York has stumbled with three losses from their last four and, with no positional upgrade from fifth in the Conference available, the visitors could profit.

Prediction: Miami Heat +3 @ 2.02 

NBA Wednesday Tips

Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers: Over 234 points @ 2.3
Dallas Mavericks @ Philadelphia 76ers: Mavericks +5 @ 1.98
Miami Heat @ New York Knicks: Heat +3 @ 2.02