The Los Angeles Lakers (8-12) will face off with the Milwaukee Bucks (15-5) Friday night at Fiserv Forum. The Lakers come into tonight’s game off a home win against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night 128-109. The Bucks had a close win on Wednesday against the Knicks 109-103. This column will highlight Lakers-Bucks predictions and picks, highlighting Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo . Be sure to visit the OddsShopper tool for more NBA best bets and odds.
NBA Odds: Lakers-Bucks Odds
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This line opened Bucks -8.0 in a game with a total of 228.5. The Bucks are scheduled to get Khris Middleton back for his season debut, albeit probably on a minutes restriction. Lonnie Walker IV (foot) and Dennis Schröder (personal) are listed as questionable for the Lakers. Milwaukee will be without Serge Ibaka (illness) and Joe Ingles (knee). Bettors should head to DraftKings Sportsbook to tail the following Lakers-Bucks predictions.
Bucks Strong At Home to Start Season
The Bucks are second in the Eastern Conference with a 15-5 record. They got off to a 9-0 start, but seven of those games were at home. In their next eight games, they went 3-5, which included four road games and a tougher schedule. They are now on a three-game winning streak and have a favorable schedule over the next six games.
The Bucks are 19th in adjusted offense, first in adjusted defense and fifth in overall adjusted rating. This team is just about 100% healthy at this point with Middleton coming back, making them a clear favorite in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks are 11-2 at home and 9-4 against the spread. They average 115.6 points and allow 106.5 points at home for a 9-point differential.
Lakers Starting to Turn Around after Slow Start
The Lakers were a great play on Wednesday as 6-point favorites at home against a weakened Blazers team, and they got the cover 128-109. But this recent streak could come to a screeching halt starting tonight, as they are on a six-game road trip with some tough opponents.
The Lakers are 29th in adjusted offense, second in adjusted defense and 24th overall in adjusted net rating. This is still an 8-12 team that has played the 26th-rated schedule.
The Lakers are 2-6 on the road straight up and against the spread, with the only two wins against the Spurs. They are 0-6 in their last six as road dogs straight up and against the spread. Going back to last year, they are 3-17 straight up and 7-13 vs. the spread as road dogs.
The Lakers are 2-12 straight up when scoring 116 points or less and 6-0 when scoring over 116 points. They are 3-9 when allowing over 110 points.
Final Lakers-Bucks Prediction & Pick
There is always going to be bias on the Lakers lines because they are a public team, and their recent success factors into this line also. But if given the context of the teams they have played, it does not hold as much weight. This is a very bad spot for the Lakers, who struggle on the road to begin with and now face a huge difference in opponent.
The Bucks have proven to be a dominant team at home and on defense. With Middleton back, they are even stronger and catch some great value as 8-point favorites in a game they should win by 15.
Final Lakers-Bucks Prediction: Bucks -8 (DraftKings -110)
