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.

Tipoff is at 1 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana is a 6-point favorite in the latest Bucks vs. Pacers odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 225.5.

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!