The Milwaukee Bucks (30-19) meet Cleveland Cavaliers (29-19) in a Central Division showdown Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Milwaukee won its third straight game Saturday by beating the Sacramento Kings, 133-127, but failed to cover as 8-point home favorites. The Bucks are 5-5 straight-up (SU) and 3-7 against the spread (ATS).
Cleveland has won seven of its past eight games including two straight with the latest being a 95-93 victory over the New York Knicks. But, the Cavs have lost ATS in their last three games and are just 4-5-1 ATS in the last 10.
The Cavs are 1-1 straight-up (SU) but 2-0 ATS in their two meetings with the Bucks this season. Cleveland’s 119-90 victory, Dec. 18, snapped Milwaukee’s 8-game winning streak in their head-to-head series (6-2 ATS).
However, the Bucks were without all of their Big 3 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday) in the Cavs’ victory.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA January 26 breakdown
Bucks at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Cavaliers +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bucks -4.5 (-110) | Cavaliers +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Bucks at Cavaliers key injuries
Bucks
- SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probable
- SG Grayson Allen (league suspension) out
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (illness) questionable
- SF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) out
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Bucks at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 115, Cavs 107
Money line
PASS even though I have Milwaukee winning this one handily because the Bucks (-190) is just too far out of my price range. Typically, -150 is the most I’d pay for an outright winner in NBA regular-season action.
Against the spread
BET the BUCKS -4.5 (-110) because this line feels cheap for a Milwaukee team that’s at full health and well-rested.
In fact, Milwaukee has been at least a double-digit favorite in seven of the last nine meetings with Cleveland. Granted, the Cavs are one of the surprise teams through the first half of the season.
But, Milwaukee hasn’t played since Saturday, and the main reason they didn’t beat the Kings worse was Giannis took the night off.
When Giannis, Middleton and Holiday are all on the floor, Milwaukee has a plus-10.9 adjusted net rating, which would grade in the 95th percentile of lineups (CTG).
Furthermore, Giannis and Middleton are having their best months of the season in Jan. Giannis is averaging 31.6 points per game (PPG) on 52.6% shooting with 10.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and a plus-17 net rating this month.
While Middleton is averaging 23.5 PPG on 63.5% true shooting (.486/.457/.902) with 6.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and a plus-9 net rating.
Finally, Cleveland could be missing two frontcourt starters and will definitely be without Markkanen, who is third on the Cavs with a plus-4.5 adjusted on/off net rating. If Allen misses Wednesday’s game, the Bucks will dominate the Cavs on the boards.
BET the BUCKS -4.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 218.5 (-107) for a tiny wager, if at all, because the Bucks scored at least 123 points in two of their three meetings with the Cavs last season.
Milwaukee’s lineup Wednesday will closely resemble last season’s squad more so than the Bucks team that played Cleveland earlier this season.
However, both teams rank in the top-seven in defensive rating, Cleveland is 1-6 O/U in its last seven versus teams with a 60.0% winning rate or better and the Under is 3-1-1 in the last five Bucks-Cavaliers meetings.
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