The Cleveland Cavaliers (37-22) and Milwaukee Bucks (25-31) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game will broadcast live on FDSOH.
The Cavaliers are 8.5-point favorites over the Bucks on the spread (Cavaliers -8.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Cleveland is a -340 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Milwaukee is +270 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, February 25.
Cavaliers vs Bucks Prediction
- Cavaliers vs Bucks pick: Jarrett Allen Over 15.5 Points (-125)
My Bucks vs. Cavaliers best bet is on Jarrett Allen to score over 15.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Bucks Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -105 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | -340 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -115 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | +270 |
Cavaliers vs Bucks NBA Preview
The Cavaliers likely will not match last year's 60-win season, but they are making a late push for it. They have won 13 of their last 15 games, including six of seven since acquiring James Harden.
Last night, they made a statement with a convincing 109-94 victory over the Knicks. They pulled into a tie with the Knicks for the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
After games with the Thunder and Knicks, and the Pistons on Friday, tonight could be a letdown spot for them. However, that would be a mistake given how the Bucks are playing right now.
Milwaukee also played last night and defeated the Heat 128-117 at home. They have now won seven of their past eight games, and that is certainly something I did not expect to see without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
During the first stint Antetokounmpo missed earlier this season, the Bucks were dreadful without him.
Additionally, they had more incentive to preserve their draft pick given this year's freshman class and the Pelicans' record, which would still help them secure a high draft pick despite owing a pick swap to the Hawks.
While many teams are tanking right now, Milwaukee is not, and its star may be back soon. Antetokounmpo is out tonight, but he is back at practice and participating in team workouts.
Cam Thomas has provided scoring punch in his absence, averaging 18.8 points over his last five games, including games of 34 and 27 points.
Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins also have been playing well during this recent stretch. Porter has scored 20 points in five of his past seven games, and he had 32 points last night.
Rollins has scored 20 points or more in eight of his past 10 games. They will be facing one of the league's best backcourts tonight in James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, but look for them to apply pressure as well.
While we know Antetokounmpo is the notable absence for Milwaukee, Cleveland has not submitted an injury report.
However, Evan Mobley has not played many back-to-backs of late, and he recently returned from injury. If he is out again, that presents value on Jarrett Allen tonight.
Cavaliers vs Bucks Predictions, Betting Analysis
Jarrett Allen 15+ Points
Over the last few years, Harden has helped Joel Embiid win an MVP and elevated Ivica Zubac's game in Los Angeles.
However, even Harden has been surprised by how well Allen has played since his arrival. Before the Cavaliers acquired Harden, Allen averaged 13.9 points in 40 games. Over the last seven games, he has averaged 20.4 points while shooting 77% from the field.
Allen has scored 15 points in six of his last seven games. Mobley did not play in the first four of those games, but Allen scored 19 points with him in the lineup last night.
Tonight's matchup against Milwaukee is not the greatest, as the Bucks allow the ninth-fewest points in the paint to centers.
However, Chet Holmgren, Derik Queen and Bam Adebayo have scored 16 points against them since the All-Star break, while Kel'el Ware cleared his line last night as well.
With Harden setting him up, I like Allen to join that club with at least 16 points tonight.
James Harden 8+ Assists
Harden did not record an assist in the second half and finished with four last night.
However, he has recorded eight assists in 15 of his last 20 games while averaging 8.5 per game.
He has had eight in five of seven games since joining the Cavaliers and in each of his last four games against Milwaukee.
Ryan Rollins 25+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
Antetokounmpo suffered his initial injury against the Cavaliers in November.
After he did not play in the second half, Rollins finished with 24 points, three rebounds and five assists.
Rollins has recorded 26 and 32 PRA in two games against Cleveland this season.
He has reached 25 PRA in nine of his last 10 games.
Kevin Porter Jr. 30+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
Porter has scored 18 points in seven of his last eight games while recording seven assists in nine straight games.
That has helped him reach 30 PRA in seven of his last eight games, and I will back him tonight in this parlay.
Cavaliers vs Bucks Best Bet
- Jarrett Allen Over 15.5 Points (-125, DraftKings)
Cavaliers vs Bucks Parlay Picks
- Jarrett Allen 15+ Points
- Ryan Rollins 25+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- James Harden 8+ Assists
- Kevin Porter Jr. 30+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
Parlay Odds: +455 via DraftKings
