The Los Angeles Lakers (8-12) and Milwaukee Bucks (15-5) meet Friday at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Bucks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers covered the spread as 6-point home favorites in a 128-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday. F LeBron James scored a game-high 31 points on 6 of 8 shooting from the 3-point line.
Los Angeles is 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 8 games.
The Bucks pushed as 6-point favorites 109-103 at the New York Knicks Wednesday. F Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a game-high 37 points and team-high 13 rebounds after fouling out with a minute left.
Milwaukee is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 head-to-head meetings vs. the Lakers.
All-Star F Khris Middleton (wrist) is expected to make his season debut Friday.
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Lakers at Bucks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:08 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Bucks -425 (bet $425 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +8.5 (-110) | Bucks -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Bucks key injuries
Lakers
- F/C Anthony Davis (back) probable
- F LeBron James (groin) probable
- G Dennis Schröder (personal) out
- G Lonnie Walker IV (foot) probable
Bucks
- F/C Serge Ibaka (illness) out
- F Khris Middleton (wrist) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 118, Lakers 105
Moneyline
PASS.
I expect the Bucks (-425) to win, but there is no need to risk more than 4 times your potential profit on the ML when Milwaukee should take it by double digits. Bet the spread or the total instead.
Against the spread
BET BUCKS -8.5 (-110).
While I don’t think bringing Middleton back is a huge deal in this game particularly, it definitely won’t hurt the Bucks as the 3-time All-Star is easy to re-insert into the offense and won’t mess with Milwaukee’s chemistry. The Lakers are being slightly overvalued due to recent success and the Bucks are a team that Los Angeles has struggled against in past meetings. Lay the points.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 230.5 (-110).
The Under is 5-0 in the last 5 head-to-head meetings in Milwaukee and I expect this trend to continue Friday with such a high number. The Over is 4-0 in the Bucks’ last 4 home games, but all those totals closed below 225. Both teams should play a slower-paced, defensive-minded game as they look to get a statement win on national television.
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