In this Lakers/Bucks prediction, the Lakers continue their road trip with a trip to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. The Lakers have lost two straight games and have slipped into third place in the Western Conference standings behind the Nuggets. The Bucks are battling the Pacers for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. The opening tap is scheduled for 7:50 pm EST. Read on for more in this Lakers at Bucks prediction and get our top NBA predictions and increase your bankroll!
Los Angeles trying to survive without the king
The Los Angeles Lakers are now attempting to weather the storm of a groin injury to LeBron James that will sideline him for two weeks and likely the rest of this road trip. The Lakers have now lost two straight games after dropping a 111-108 decision to the Nets on Monday night. Luka Doncic, still nursing a sore back, led the way with a triple-double of 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists but was just 8-of-26 from the floor. Gabe Vincent gave the Lakers a shot in the arm with 24 points off the bench. After winning eight straight games, the Lakers have started this trip with losses at Boston and now Brooklyn. With the two straight losses, the Nuggets now have jumped into second place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Lakers.
The Lakers have thrived offensively with the addition of Doncic at the trade deadline. The team was steamrolling through the NBA until James had to exit the Celtics game in the second half with a groin injury. The Lakers will now be in a dogfight to earn the second seed behind the Thunder in the Western Conference. The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in scoring this season. They are seventh in field goal shooting and 17th in 3-point shooting. The Lakers are 22nd in the league in 3-point field goals made per game. Overall, the Lakers are ranked 11th in the NBA in offensive efficiency. Defensively, the Lakers are 8th in the NBA in points allowed per game. They are 8th in field goal defense and an impressive fourth in 3-point defense. They are now ranked 13th in the league in defensive efficiency. The Lakers are 13th in the NBA in scoring margin, 15th in turnover margin, and 15th in rebounding.
Key Injuries: SF LeBron James, PF Rui Hachimura, and PF Maxi Kleber are out.
Bucks in a battle for the final home-court advantage spot in East
The Milwaukee Bucks are fighting to earn homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. They are currently in a back-and-forth tussle with the Pacers for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have gone 7-3 in their last ten games heading into Tuesday's tilt with the Pacers. The Bucks appeared on their way to victory on Tuesday night against the Pacers in Indiana with a three-point lead and time running out. Instead, Tyrese Halliburton drilled a 3-point field goal and was fouled. He completed the four-point play and sent the Bucks to a 115-114 loss. The Bucks were led by Brook Lopez' 23 points in the game. MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo was held to just 19 points but did pull down 17 rebounds and dished out seven assists. Fellow All-Star Dame Lillard was kept in check as well with just 15 points.
The Bucks have done well surviving various injuries this season and have played very well despite the absence of super-sub Bobby Portis over the last several weeks. Portis is out til April after violating the league's banned substance policy. The Bucks come into this battle with the Lakers ranked 11th in the NBA in scoring. They are sixth in field goal shooting and second in three-point shooting. The Bucks are eighth in 3-point field goals made per game. Overall, the Bucks are ranked 12th in the league in offensive efficiency. On the defensive end, the Bucks are 12th in the NBA in points allowed per game. They rank third in field goal defense and seventh in 3-point defense. The team is ranked 11th in defensive efficiency. The Bucks are ninth in the league in scoring margin, eighth in turnover margin, and 21st in rebounding.
Key Injuries: F Bobby Portis is out.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Bucks will welcome a banged-up Lakers team to Milwaukee on Thursday night. The Lakers will again be without injured star LeBron James and will have injured Luka Doncic leading the way. Doncic struggled from the field in Brooklyn and his back issues likely played a major role. The Bucks will be hungry to keep pace with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference standings after their stunning loss in Indiana on Tuesday night. Without James, particularly on the glass, Giannis will have another dominant performance on the interior. Both teams are struggling with a combined five straight losses but this one will favor the Bucks against an unhealthy Lakers' squad.
Take Milwaukee.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Before the arrival of Doncic, one thing new Lakers coach JJ Redick has established in LA is solid halfcourt defense. Over the second half of the season, the Lakers have become one of the better defensive teams in the league. They are ranked eighth in points allowed per game this season. They are also eighth in field goal defense and have done an exceptional job on the perimeter, ranked fourth in 3-point defense. The Lakers have gone under the total in eight of their last ten games. The Bucks have improved defensively as well, ranked 12th in the NBA in points allowed per game. The Bucks are third in field goal defense. The Bucks have gone 5-5 to the total in their last ten games, including under the number in two straight games.
Take the under.
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