The Cleveland Cavaliers (13-11) travel to Fiserv Forum Monday to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (15-9). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cavaliers vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers played Sunday and lost 109-108 to the Utah Jazz, covering the 5-point spread as home underdogs.
Cleveland will now go on the road and play the defending NBA Champions. The Cavaliers are 9-2-1 ATS as road underdogs so far this season. They continue to be without G Collin Sexton who has missed an extended period of time.
The Bucks may also be down several stars Monday and if you’re backing Milwaukee you should hold off on betting this game until you know their status.
After they struggled to start the season the Bucks are 9-1 in their last 10 games, shooting up to third in the East. Milwaukee is 4-7 ATS as a home favorite.
Cavaliers at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Cavaliers +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Bucks -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +6.5 (-112) | Bucks -6.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Cavaliers at Bucks key injuries
Cavaliers (not officially submitted)
- F Dean Wade (calf) questionable
Bucks
- C Brook Lopez (back) out
- G George Hill (knee) questionable
- G Grayson Allen (illness) questionable
- F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) questionable
Cavaliers at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 108, Cavaliers 104
Money line
PASS on the money line, especially if Antetokounmpo plays.
The spread in this game feels like there is a belief he’ll be playing. If you’re feeling risky +210 for Cleveland is great value if the two-time MVP sits, but they’ll likely drop this one to the surging Bucks if he plays.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the CAVALIERS +6.5 (-112).
The Cavaliers were disrespected by sportsbooks against Utah Sunday and they covered with ease. This should again be the case and is a great value if Milwaukee’s stars do sit.
Even if Allen and Hill aren’t in the action, Milwaukee, a team that relies on shooting, may struggle.
The Cavaliers also rank as the league’s third-best defense. They hold their opponents to the eighth-worst three-point field goal percentage which is notable as Milwaukee shoots the third-most threes.
With potential All-Star C Jarrett Allen manning the paint the Cavaliers should be able to limit the Bucks dynamite offense.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 214.5 (-112) as the better side of the total.
While the Bucks are great, they’re already going to be down two starters and could be down as many as six role players.
Even without them in the lineup, the Cavaliers defend well and thrive at limiting what Milwaukee does best — three-point shooting. The Bucks also have a top-ten defense.
This should be a battle, and given the Cavs rank 24th in pace and should want this at their tempo, I expect the Under to hit.
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