The 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, with the Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks beginning the proceedings. The first-round Game 1 matchup pits the No. 4-seeded Pacers (50-32) against the No. 5-seeded Bucks (48-34), and it's a rematch of last year's first-round series. Indiana won that series in six games, but Milwaukee took three of four meetings this season. The Bucks enter on an eight-game winning streak, while the Pacers are 7-1 over their last eight games.
Before entering any Bucks vs. Pacers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Matthew Severance.
Severance is a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. After joining SportsLine, Matt quickly established himself as a top expert in multiple sports. Over the past three NBA seasons, he has returned $4,452 for $100 bettors on all NBA picks and he enters this matchup on a 144-84-1 roll (+2553.75) on NBA picks. Anybody following him could have seen HUGE returns!
Severance is going Over on the total, and he's also found a critical x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back! Be sure to see what it is before locking in any picks of your own.
Who wins Bucks vs. Pacers, and which side of the spread is a must-back? Join SportsLine right now to see which side of the Bucks vs. Pacers spread you need to jump on, all from the expert who has returned $4,452 over the past three NBA seasons!