The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Milwaukee Bucks in a cross-conference battle on Wednesday evening. Los Angeles is 8-7 amid injury issues, while Milwaukee is also battling roster challenges at 6-8 overall. Khris Middleton (personal) is listed as probable to return from a multi-game absence for Milwaukee, while LeBron James (abdominal) remains sidelined for Los Angeles.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. Caesars Sportsbook lists Milwaukee as a nine point favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 222 in the latest Lakers vs. Bucks odds. Before you make any Bucks vs. Lakers picks and NBA predictions, see what SportsLine's advanced computer model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $9,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 5 of the 2021-22 NBA season up over $900 on all top-rated NBA picks this season. It's also on a stunning 113-75 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread that dates back to last season. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Bucks and locked in its coveted NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and trends for Bucks vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -9
- Lakers vs. Bucks over-under: 222 points
- Lakers vs. Bucks money line: Bucks -450, Lakers +350
- LAL: The Lakers are 5-10 against the spread in 2021-22
- MIL: The Bucks are 6-8 against the spread this season
Why the Lakers can cover
Los Angeles has plenty of star power, even without James available to play. Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the NBA, averaging 24.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and he anchors the defense of the Lakers. Russell Westbrook has an impressive pedigree as well, averaging 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. Offensively, the Lakers are a top-10 team in field goal shooting (46.2 percent), free throw attempts (20.6 per game) and assists (23.9 per game), and Los Angeles is above-average from beyond the 3-point arc, making 35.3 percent of attempts.
On the defensive end, the Lakers have been effective in havoc creation, ranking No. 3 in the NBA in blocked shots (6.1 per game) and No. 8 in the NBA in steals (8.9 per game). Los Angeles has a background of effectiveness on defense, dating back to the 2020 NBA title and beyond, and the Lakers are well-coached with plenty of size and physicality.
Why the Bucks can cover
Milwaukee has the benefit of deploying the reigning NBA Finals MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have battled roster absences this season, but Antetokounmpo is playing at an obscenely high level, following up on his impressive title run. Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game in 2021-22, and he adds tremendous defense, both on the perimeter and in rim protection. Surrounding Antetokounmpo is highly prolific 3-point shooting, and the Bucks are No. 2 in the NBA in making 14.6 3-pointers per game.
Milwaukee is making 35.5 percent of 3-point attempts for the season, a top-10 figure, and the Bucks also control the ball in committing fewer than 14 turnovers per game. On defense, the Bucks are above-average in 3-point defense (33.1 percent) and firmly in the top 10 in free throw prevention. Los Angeles struggles with ball security, committing 17.3 turnovers per game, which provides a baseline for Milwaukee's defense.
How to make Bucks vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 207 points The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Lakers vs. Bucks picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Lakers vs. Bucks spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.