The saying goes that an NBA playoff series never really starts until the road team wins a game. The Indiana Pacers want to get that ball rolling tonight, April 27, against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference series at Fiserv Forum.
The Pacers own a 2-1 series edge on the Bucks after Milwaukee steamrolled Indiana in the second half on Friday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr. were a two-man wrecking crew, and the Pacers didn’t get their familiar balanced offensive production.
Pascal Siakam is the lone Pacers player hit or exceed his season scoring average in every game of the series. Indiana, one of the league’s best fourth-quarter teams this season, has been shaky late. Bennedict Mathurin (abdomen) is questionable.
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Pacers vs. Bucks expert predictions, picks for today, April 27Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Pacers 125-116
“If the Pacers continue to play the way they did in Friday’s second half, they won’t only lose Game 4, but the series. However, the Pacers have a tendency to respond well to miscues and defeat. They had longer losing streaks this season than last year, but they were 40-17 after Dec. 8. They lost consecutive games just three times since — a Dec. 26-27 against the Thunder and Celtics, February games against the Lakers and Knicks and three games on the road in early March when Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined. Presumably, they’ll adjust to the Bucks’ more spirited defense and find a way to get Haliburton going downhill. They will also keep a closer eye on Gary Trent Jr. Indiana will recover and take Game 4 and return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a chance to close out the series.”
Covers.com: Pacers to cover spread, maybe win
“Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lack of support will give the Pacers an edge in Game 4. Damian Lillard, who was one half of the NBA’s top scoring duo during the regular season, has averaged 10.5 points on 24% shooting since returning from injury. Milwaukee doesn’t appear to have a legitimate second option right now while he’s in a slump. Indiana could very easily snag Game 4 outright, but I’ll take the points.”
“The home team has won every game in this series and the favorite has covered eight of the last 10 games between the Bucks and Pacers. The Bucks coming back and winning the way they did game 3 should have a carry over effect in game 4. Lillard should be better as he now has two games under his belt. The Pacers could have big blow depending on the status of Mathurin. I had the Bucks winning this series before it started and I’m not off the bandwagon. The line is reasonable. Give me the Bucks and the small chalk.”
Pacers-Bucks injury report tonight
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin (abdomen) is questionable; Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) is out.
Bucks: Tyler Smith (ankle) is questionable.
Pacers vs Bucks playoff schedule; when do the Pacers and Bucks play today, April 27?
(All times ET; *-if necessary)
Game 1, April 19: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Game 2, April 22: Pacers 123, Bucks 115
Game 3, April 25: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
Game 4, Sun., April 27: at Bucks, 9:30 p.m.
Game 5, Tues., April 29: at Pacers, 6 p.m.
*-Game 6, Fri., May 2: at Bucks, TBA
*-Game 7, Sun., May 4: Pacers, TBA
What channel is the Pacers game on today, April 25? How can I watch Pacers-Bucks in NBA playoffs?
TV: FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting); TNT, Max.
How can I stream, listen to the Pacers today, April 27?
93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analysis) and Pat Boylan (sideline reporting). Game 1 streaming is on SiriusXM channels 86 (Bucks feed), 213.
Are the Pacers favored over the Bucks today, April 27? Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks betting odds
via BetMGM
Game 4 favorite: Bucks by 4.5 points
Over/under: 226.5 total points
Moneyline: Pacers +155, Bucks -190
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Bucks a 55.3% chance of winning.
Can I get tickets to the Bucks game today, April 27?
Game 4 Pacers tickets start at $34 on StubHub.
Look for Pacers tickets on StubHub
Pacers probable starting lineup today, April 27
(with series averages)
Pascal Siakam (25.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 60% shooting, 57.1% 3-pointers)Tyrese Haliburton (15.0 points, 11.3 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 26.9% 3-pointers)Myles Turner (13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots, 33.3% 3-pointers)Aaron Nesmith (13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 56.3% 3-pointers)Andrew Nembhard (13.3 points, 5.3 assists, 44.4% 3-pointers)Pacers key bench playersBucks probable starting lineup today, April 27Bucks key bench players