Pacers vs. Bucks Thursday NBA In-Season Tournament odds, props: Total of 257 points believed to be highest in … – SportsLine

Whether you like the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament or not (and it has been met with largely unanimous approval), it gives us an early holiday treat Thursday with a very rare weekday matinee (5 p.m.) with the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks facing off in the event’s semifinals in Las Vegas. The Bucks are -5 on the SportsLine consensus, but the big story is the total of 257 points, believed to be the highest in league history. Even so, the Over is taking more than 70% of the money and tickets. Click here for model picks.

We can’t be 100% sure that the total is in fact an all-time high. Records going back decades can be little imprecise, all sportsbooks can have different numbers, and gambling has only been legal nationwide since 2018 when PASPA was overturned by the United States Supreme Court. It’s absolutely the highest since at least 1995, which is basically as far back as trustworthy records go.

Indiana is blitzing the NBA with its fast-paced, defense-optional style led by breakout superstar point guard and MVP candidate Tyrese Haliburton. He logged the first triple-double of his NBA career in Monday’s 122-112 quarterfinal upset of Boston with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists – including an epic four-point play to clinch it. In addition to his triple-double, Haliburton did not register a turnover in 40 minutes. He became only the third player in NBA history age 23 or younger to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and zero turnovers in a game, along with Nikola Jokic (October 2018) and Grant Hill (January 1996). The former Iowa State star is set at over/under 44.5 combined points, rebounds and assists for Thursday’s game.

While Haliburton is still a +2500 longshot to win regular-season MVP – remember, all In-Season Tournament games count toward the regular season except Saturday’s final – he is +425 to win MVP of this event and will almost certainly do so if the Pacers capture the trophy. They are +425 longshots, however.

Led by Haliburton, the Pacers lead the NBA in possessions per game (107.8), offensive pace (104.1), offensive rating (123.6) and scoring (128.4 points per game, nearly six points more than No. 2 Atlanta). The Pacers have scored 140 or more points four times (4-0), already a franchise record, and 130 or more points nine times (7-2).

The Over is 16-3 in Pacers games this season, going Over by a whopping average of 15.4 points. Their games have averaged combined scores of 253.7 points per game.

Milwaukee, the +170 In-Season Tournament favorite, is no slouch offensively (third at 122.3 PPG) and hung a season-high 146 points in a blowout of the Knicks in their quarterfinal on Tuesday. The Bucks shot 60.5% (23 of 38) from 3-point range and 60.4% overall. That’s obviously not sustainable. Giannis Antetokounmpo had an injury scare less than two minutes into the game but is fine. He finished with 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

In the past 10 games, Milwaukee is averaging 128.1 PPG while shooting 51.9% from the field and 40% from deep. The Greek Freak is averaging 32.6 points, 12.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists in that span. He’s set at over/under 51.5 P+R+A tonight, which is a huge number.

It’s the second meeting of the season between the clubs with the Bucks losing 126-124 in Indianapolis on Nov. 9. Antetokounmpo scored 54 points but committed two turnovers after Haliburton’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:29 left. Haliburton had 29 points and 10 assists. Indiana gave away an 18-point lead and had to rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee’s team total tonight is set at 130.5 and Indiana’s is 126.5. 

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