The Milwaukee Bucks faced heavy scrutiny when they parted ways with head coach Adrian Griffin after a 30-13 record through 43 games. Under veteran head coach Doc Rivers, Milwaukee went just 17-20 and dropped to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season on a 3-11 stretch.
Additionally, Milwaukee star center Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the final three games of the regular season with a left calf strain and is doubtful for the opening game of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
To no surprise, the Bucks are longshots to win the NBA title for the second time in four years.
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Bucks NBA Championship Odds
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Milwaukee is the fourth favorite to win the NBA Finals at +1500 ($100 bet wins $1,500). That carries an implied probability of 6.25% of Milwaukee running the table.
Milwaukee’s drop on the odds board stems from the team’s struggles with Rivers at the end of the bench and the Greek Freak’s injury concern heading into the postseason. There’s also the dominance of the Boston Celtics, which ran away with the best record in the NBA during the regular season at 64-18.
Milwaukee is +700 (12.50% implied probability) to win the Eastern Conference, according to FanDuel, while Boston is the clear-cut favorite to reach the NBA Finals at -190.
Milwaukee a short favorite in 1st round of playoffs
On Monday, Milwaukee opened as a -172 favorite in its first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. In one day, the Bucks’ price has dipped to -130 ($100 bet wins $76.92), which is an implied probability of 56.52% that Milwaukee moves on to the second round.
The Bucks have struggled this season against the fast-paced Indiana Pacers, going 1-4 straight up and 1-4 ATS. They last played on Jan. 3 and each team has changed since then with Milwaukee switching coaches and Indiana acquiring two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam in mid-January trade.
According to FanDuel, Milwaukee has dropped to a one-point home underdog in Saturday’s series opener against the Pacers with Antetokounmpo unlikely to suit up. If Indiana stays favored, Milwaukee would be a home underdog for just the fifth time this season. The Bucks are 3-1 ATS in that spot this year.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.