- The Milwaukee Bucks battle the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night
- The NBA odds slightly favor Giannis Antetokounmpo and company
- Read below for Bucks vs Lakers prediction, odds and player props
The Milwaukee Bucks (41-22) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (34-30) on Friday night for a star-studded showdown at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET with the game televised nationally on ESPN.
According to ESPN Bet, the Bucks opened as 2.5-point road favorites with an over/under of 232.5 points. Player props, including points, rebounds, and assists totals for star players such as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, are also available.
Let’s delve into our Bucks vs Lakers prediction, as we analyze the odds and provide player props to bet.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIL Bucks | -2.5 (-110) | -135 | Over 232.5 (-105) |
| LA Lakers | +2.5 (-110) | +115 | Under 232.5 (-115) |
In the Bucks vs Lakers odds, Milwaukee is a -135 favorite on the moneyline, giving them 57% implied win probability.
Odds as of March 8th, 2024 at ESPN Bet. Claim the ESPN Bet promo code to wager on Bucks vs. Lakers tonight. North Carolina sports bettors can visit the ESPN Bet app in NC for a unique sign-up offer ahead of the launch.
Milwaukee Betting Analysis
Milwaukee saw its six-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt on Wednesday in a 125-90 blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Bucks allowed the Warriors to shoot a blistering 48.7% from three-point range while only connecting on 28.2% of their own threes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game absence to lead the Bucks with 23 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Prior to that setback, the Bucks had been rolling, holding four of their previous six opponents under 100 points.
Giannis couldn’t miss from deep at shootaround… pic.twitter.com/aMpvze1w7P
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 6, 2024
Damian Lillard has been on fire from deep, knocking down 23 of 52 threes (44.2%) over his last six games. Giannis continues to put up MVP numbers, averaging 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists on 61.8% shooting this season. He’s +1475 in the NBA MVP Odds.
The Bucks are a solid 41-22 overall but just 16-15 on the road. They rank 5th in offensive rating (119.3) and 15th in defensive rating (115.5). Milwaukee is 27-36 against the spread and the under has hit in 23 of their last 32 games.
In terms of the Bucks injury report, Khris Middleton remains out with an ankle injury. He has missed the last 12 games. Giannis is probable with left Achilles tendinitis that sidelined him on Monday.
Los Angeles Betting Analysis
The Lakers had their momentum halted in a 130-120 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday despite leading by 19 points in the first quarter. LA has now dropped two of their last three after winning seven of their previous eight games.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 31 points and 13 assists before exiting late with a sore left ankle. His status for Friday is questionable. Anthony Davis was limited to just 14 points in 24 minutes as he battled foul trouble all night.
THE FIRST PLAYER TO EVER SCORE 40K POINTS IN NBA HISTORY
LEBRON JAMES đŸ‘‘ pic.twitter.com/wfOJJcoXEY
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) March 3, 2024
Los Angeles is clinging to the 10th seed in the West at 34-30 overall and 22-11 at home. They are 18th in offensive rating (115.3) and 17th in defensive rating (115.8). The Lakers are 28-36 against the spread and have covered in 35 of their last 49 home games.
Per the Lakers injury report, James will likely be a game-time decision with the aforementioned ankle injury.
Bucks vs Lakers Player Props
There are no shortage of NBA player props available for the Bucks vs Lakers game, including points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made. Giannis Antetokounmpo is projected to have the biggest game, with Caesars setting his over/under point total at 31.5.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 31.5 (Ov -129 | Un -106) | 11.5 (Ov -123 | Un -111) | 6.5 (Ov +102 | Un -139) | 0.5 (Ov -127 | Un -108) |
| LeBron James | 25.5 (Ov -103 | Un -133) | 6.5 (Ov -154 | Un +112) | 8.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 1.5 (Ov -184 | Un +133) |
| Damian Lillard | 24.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov +123 | Un -169) | 6.5 (Ov +100 | Un -137) | 3.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) |
| Anthony Davis | 23.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 13.5 (Ov +120 | Un -166) | 2.5 (Ov -199 | Un +143) | 0.5 (Ov +178 | Un -254) |
| Bobby Portis | 14.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 7.5 (Ov -133 | Un -103) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +143 | Un -199) |
| Rui Hachimura | 14.5 (Ov -115 | Un -119) | 4.5 (Ov -101 | Un -135) | 0.5 (Ov -189 | Un +136) | 1.5 (Ov +106 | Un -145) |
| Brook Lopez | 10.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov -127 | Un -108) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -103 | Un -133) |
| Malik Beasley | 10.5 (Ov -133 | Un -103) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) | 2.5 (Ov -127 | Un -108) |
| Jae Crowder | 4.5 (Ov -142 | Un +104) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +129 | Un -179) | 0.5 (Ov -194 | Un +139) |
Odds as of March 8th, 2024 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Bucks vs Lakers Prediction
While the Bucks are slight road favorites, this feels like a toss-up game that could go either way, especially if LeBron suits up. The Lakers have been excellent at home and are playing better overall despite the loss to the Kings. Meanwhile, the Bucks laid an egg in Golden State and have been mediocre on the road all season.
Ultimately, I’m backing the Lakers to cover the short spread. I think they will play with more desperation as the 10 seed trying to make the playoffs. The Bucks have struggled in LA in recent years and their offense looked out of sync vs the Warriors. If LeBron plays, I like the Lakers’ chances of winning outright as home underdogs in a high-scoring affair.
The over also looks appealing based on the star power and offensive potential in this matchup. Both teams are more than capable of putting up 120+ points if they get rolling. I’ll take the over 232.5 unless LeBron is ruled out.
MIL-LA Best Bets:
- Lakers +2.5 (-110)
- Over 232.5 points (-105)
The highly anticipated matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8th is sure to be a thrilling game for basketball fans. Both teams have been performing well this season and are considered top contenders in their respective conferences.
The Bucks, led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, currently hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-21. They have been playing exceptional basketball as of late, winning seven of their last ten games. The Bucks have a strong offense, averaging 119.1 points per game, which ranks them third in the league.
On the other hand, the Lakers have had a bit of a rocky season due to injuries to key players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, they have managed to stay afloat and currently hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 35-28. The Lakers have a solid defense, allowing just 106.9 points per game, which ranks them second in the league.
In terms of predictions for this game, it’s expected to be a close matchup between two talented teams. The Bucks have the edge in terms of offensive firepower, but the Lakers’ defense could pose a challenge for them. It will be interesting to see how both teams match up against each other and which players step up in this crucial game.
As for the odds, sportsbooks currently have the Bucks as slight favorites to win this game. The spread is expected to be close, with the Bucks likely favored by a few points. Bettors may want to keep an eye on the over/under, as both teams have the potential to put up big numbers on the scoreboard.
Player props for this game will also be worth watching, especially for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. Bettors may want to consider prop bets on points, rebounds, assists, and other statistical categories for these players.
Overall, the Bucks vs Lakers game on March 8th is shaping up to be an exciting matchup between two elite teams. Fans can expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of highlight-reel plays from some of the best players in the league. It’s sure to be a game that basketball fans won’t want to miss.