Bucks vs. Lakers Picks, Betting Odds & Predictions: Is Milwaukee Being Undervalued?
Photo credit: Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo
- The updated odds of Friday's Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers game make the Lakers 1.5-point favorites with the over under set at 227.
- The Bucks took Round 1 of this matchup earlier in the season, can the Lakers return the favor at home?
- Check out our betting preview, including our experts' picks on the game below.
No. 1 in the East vs. No. 1 in the West. The reigning MVP who is No. 1 in odds to repeat this year vs. the No. 2 in odds, who is a four-time winner of the award.
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. LeBron James. What more do you need on a Friday night?
The Lakers are favored at home, but is that right? Our experts break down everything you need to know for tonight’s marquee matchup.
Bucks at Lakers Picks, Betting Odds & Predictions
- Spread: Lakers -1.5
- Over/Under: 228.5
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
Odds as of Friday and via FanDuel. Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at FanDuel today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
Betting Trends to Know
Lakers-Bucks is a matchup of the two best teams in the league. The Lakers (47-13) are 1.5-point favorites against the Bucks (53-9). When two great teams (win rate of 70% or higher) play in the regular season, the favorite has gone 220-250-9 (46.8%) ATS.
But late in the season (March/April), when we know the most about each squad, the chalk in these matchups have gone 30-18 (63%) ATS.
That said, in the past two seasons, since Giannis ascended to MVP-level play, the Bucks are 10-7 straight-up and 11-6 ATS as underdogs. — John Ewing
Moore: How Oddsmakers Treat the Lakers
Look, the Bucks are underdogs. I don’t know how you don’t bet a projected 70-win team that has smashed everyone (including the team they’re facing earlier this season) as an underdog. I can’t make the argument for you that the Lakers should win. The Bucks have the length to counter L.A., they shoot more 3s so they can win the math game, they have perimeter guys to actually maybe guard LeBron a little bit and they have guys to contest on Anthony Davis and make him play on the perimeter.
From a 10,000-foot view, this is a no-brainer; you bet the Bucks.
However.