Sportsbooks a small loser after Bucks-Pacers historic NBA Cup total stays UNDER

LAS VEGAS — With two of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA facing off in the NBA Cup’s first semifinal, oddsmakers and fans were expecting fireworks. The game closed with a consensus total of 257.5 at sportsbooks, which was the highest total since 1991, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

It was the seventh NBA game since 1991 with a total above 250, five of which have happened this season.

The game never threatened the high total, though, as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 128-119. The Pacers covered as 5-point underdogs. The Pacers led 63-51 at halftime, and the live over/under was down to 242.5 at sportsbooks at that time.

For The Win spoke to multiple sportsbooks, all of which reported increased action for the in-season tournament compared to a normal regular-season game, and especially increased action on the total, given how high it was.

“We definitely had more money and tickets on the UNDER,” Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at the Borgata in Atlantic City, told For The Win in a text message. “Not a huge decision in the grand scheme of things, but it was interesting to see how people reacted to a total that high.”

Other sportsbooks reported similar betting action on the UNDER, including some of the larger bets.

“About 60 percent of the total bets were on the UNDER,” John Murray, executive director at the Westgate Las Vegas Sportsbook told For The Win. “More than a random NBA game for sure, but not a huge decision.”

At DraftKings Sportsbook, 60 percent of the bets were on the under, but only 51 percent of the total dollars wagered.

“We ended up taking some sharp UNDER bets, so we’re not looking good,” Christian Cipollini, a trader at BetMGM told For The Win. “Rare that we have more UNDER bets, but nothing crazy.”

The most-bet player prop at DraftKings was Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 32.5 points, which cashed, as Giannis ended up 37.

And just like that the Indiana Pacers are the first team to make the NBA in-season tournament final. The Pacers had 13-1 odds to win the NBA IST heading into the quarterfinals, the second-worst odds behind the New York Knicks at 14-1.

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