How dominant were the Milwaukee Bucks in their Game 5 win at home? They outscored the Indiana Pacers by 31 points from the beginning of the second quarter through the end of the game.

But should bettors be bullish on the Bucks after their convincing Game 5 win or was their effort more of a dead-cat bounce? 

With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) listed as doubtful on Milwaukee’s injury report and Damian Lillard only being upgraded to questionable Thursday, the latter looks likely. 

However, Milwaukee’s improved play could keep it within striking distance in this win-or-go-home Game 6, especially if Khris Middleton (29 points), Bobby Portis (29 points) and Patrick Beverley (13 points, 12 assists) can closely replicate their Game 5 outings. 

Let’s break down the matchup between these two teams and make a pick.

(6:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

There was a reason the Pacers were favored on the road in Milwaukee in Game 5.

Per ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the Bucks became the first team to win a playoff game without their top two scorers from the regular season.

There was a sliver of optimism on Thursday morning that Antetokounmpo and/or Lillard could suit up in Game 6, and Lillard seems the more likely of the two after being upgraded to questionable.

Winning away from Fiserv Forum without them will be a monumental task, especially when the opponent (Indiana) has a 28-15 home record season with the second-highest offensive rating in the NBA.

Milwaukee has been among the league’s bottom-dwellers when Antetokounmpo has been sidelined this season, boasting the ninth-worst net rating in those games.

Even worse, Lillard was available in eight of the nine regular-season games Antetokounmpo missed. 

The Pacers’ defense is concerning, especially since they have given up 37% shooting from deep to the Bucks in this series.

However, you can expect Indiana to ramp up its intensity in a potential close-out game on its home floor.

If this series goes to Game 7, Antetokounmpo has a real shot at returning, and winning a road game in Milwaukee in that situation will be nearly impossible. 

Furthermore, Milwaukee might have crushed the Pacers on the glass and controlled the paint in Game 5, but the battles in both areas have been basically even throughout the series. 

The Bucks have also shot a much higher percentage from deep through the first five games, but Indiana ranked fifth in 3-point percentage at home during the season and hit 22 3-pointers the last time it played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 

A win away from their first Eastern Conference semifinals appearance in 10 years, the Pacers should feel a sense of urgency to get it done on their home court Thursday.

The line on this game has swung two times. The Bucks opened as 2.5-point favorites when there was hope on Tuesday night one or both of their stars might return, then they went to as high as 8.5-point underdogs before settling in at their current price (+5.5 to +6.5).

Bet on neither Antetokounmpo or Lillard playing (or being effective if they do) and take the discount in what should be a comfortable series close-out victory for the Pacers.