Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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 AntetokounmpoKhris Middleton and Jrue Holiday) in the Cavs’ victory.

Also seeBet 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)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Bucks at Cavaliers key injuries

Bucks

  • SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probable
  • SG Grayson Allen (league suspension) out

Cavaliers

  • Jarrett Allen (illness) questionable
  • SF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) out

Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

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.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]