NBA Cup Final: Predictions, Player Props & Best Odds for Bucks vs Thunder

• The Milwaukee Bucks and OKC Thunder meet in the 2024 NBA Cup Final on Tuesday night in Las Vegas
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is questionable for the Bucks, while Damian Lillard (calf) and Khris Middleton (illness) are both probable
• See the Bucks vs Thunder predictions, player props, and best available odds for the 2024 NBA Cup Final on Dec. 17

The second annual NBA Cup wraps up on Tuesday night with the Milwaukee Bucks (14-11, 6-0 NBA Cup, 10-14-1 ATS) facing the West-leading OKC Thunder (20-5, 5-1 NBA Cup, 16-9 ATS) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tip-off is set for 5:40 pm PT/8:40 pm ET and, with the Bucks’ injury report listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable, knee), Damian Lillard (probable, calf), and Khris Middleton (probable, illness), OKC is a five-point neutral-court favorite in Tuesday’s NBA odds.

Milwaukee Bucks vs OKC Thunder Predictions

• Bucks +5.0 (-112) at
  FanDuel
  
  
• Giannis Antetokounmpo over 29.5 points (-140) at ESPN Bet Odds as of 1:03 pm ET, Dec. 17. See the best NBA betting apps to wager on the NBA Cup Final. 

While the Bucks injury report looks scare at a glance for Milwaukee bettors, it’s clear that sportsbooks aren’t putting much credence in the notion that any of the Bucks’ stars will miss Tuesday’s finale. As you’ll see in the table of player props, below, all the Milwaukee staters/rotation players are on the board, which doesn’t happen when oddsmakers are unsure whether the team’s leading scorers will be in the lineup. It exposes the books to too much risk.

So I’m operating on the assumption that Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton will all be playing.

Since a disappointing 4-9 start to the season, the Bucks have been on an absolute tear, going 10-2 SU since. While they’re only 6-6 ATS in that span, it’s not like they’ve been scraping by with narrow victories most nights. Milwaukee has an excellent +6.2 point differential in its last 12 games.

Giannis has been the biggest catalyst behind the turnaround for Milwaukee, averaging 34.4 PPG over his last ten. He’s only been held under 30 points once in those ten games, when he scored 28 points in just 28 points during a lopsided 128-107 at Detroit.

Going against the OKC defense is about as tough a task as there is in the NBA. The Thunder have an NBA-best 103.1 Defensive Rating, which would have put them first in the NBA every season since 2019-20. OKC limited Houston to just 96 points in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday (111-96) and held Luka Doncic and the Mavs to 104 in the quarters (118-104), easily covering both games against the spread.

But I’m still taking the over on Gianni’s point total of 29.5. In seven other games against top-ten DR teams this season, he’s averaged 30.1 PPG and only been held under 30 points once (when he was limited to just 20 points in 36 minutes during a 101-100 home victory against Houston).

Giannis had exactly 30 in his only game against OKC last year, a 118-93 Milwaukee rout on March 24.

MIL vs OKC Player Props

NBA player props from DraftKings on Dec. 17.

The Bucks vs Thunder player props show some big point total on the board. Both SGA and Giannis have a point total of 31.5 with SGA a -125 favorite to go over and Giannis a -125 favorite to stay under.

Giannis also has the highest rebound total at 12.5 O/U, followed by OKC’s Isaiah Hartenstein at 11.5.

Damian Lillard leads the assist totals at 6.5 O/U with Giannis and SGA both at 5.5 O/U. Lillard is also the only player on the board with a three-point total of 3.5 O/U.

Best Bucks vs Thunder Odds

The Bucks vs Thunder spread is sitting at OKC -5.0 at most sportsbooks but ESPN Bet and BetMGM have lowered it to OKC -4.5 with a little extra juice on the Thunder to cover. The best ATS option for Bucks bettors is +5.0 (-112), which is currently available at both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Caesars has the longest odds on Milwaukee winning straight-up, setting the Bucks’ moneyline at +180. No other book has it longer than +172 at the moment. FanDuel is the only site with the Thunder moneyline (-198) south of -200.

About half the books, including ESPN Bet and FanDuel, have the game total at 215.5 (-110 odds both ways) while the other half, including bet365 and Caesars, have it at 216.0 (-110 odds both ways).

The NBA Cup Final is fast approaching, and basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with the Bucks finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference and the Thunder securing a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.

As we look ahead to this exciting matchup, let’s take a closer look at some predictions, player props, and the best odds for this highly anticipated game.

Predictions:

The Bucks have been dominant all season long, led by their superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. With his combination of size, speed, and skill, Giannis has been virtually unstoppable on both ends of the court. The Thunder, on the other hand, have relied on their balanced scoring attack and strong defense to secure wins.

In terms of predictions, many experts believe that the Bucks will have the edge in this series. Their depth and talent across the board make them a formidable opponent for any team. However, the Thunder have proven to be resilient and have the ability to pull off upsets. It’s sure to be a hard-fought series that could go either way.

Player Props:

When it comes to player props, keep an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks. He is a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court and will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the series. Look for him to put up big numbers in points, rebounds, and assists.

For the Thunder, players like Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be crucial to their success. Paul’s leadership and playmaking abilities will be essential, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring prowess will be needed to keep pace with the high-powered Bucks offense.

Best Odds:

When it comes to betting on the NBA Cup Final, it’s important to shop around for the best odds. Different sportsbooks will offer different lines and prices, so be sure to compare before placing your bets.

As of now, the Bucks are favored to win the series, with odds ranging from -200 to -250 depending on the sportsbook. The Thunder are considered underdogs, with odds ranging from +150 to +200.

In terms of individual game odds, expect close matchups with tight spreads. Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers, so look for high-scoring games with plenty of excitement.

Overall, the NBA Cup Final between the Bucks and Thunder is shaping up to be a thrilling series. With star players on both sides and competitive matchups expected, basketball fans are in for a treat. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown on the hardwood.