LA Clippers vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds, Player Props, Picks & Predictions (March 4)

Looking to consolidate their hold on the #2 seed in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks (40-21, 24-7 home) host the LA Clippers  (39-20, 18-12 away) on Monday night at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 pm CT/8:10 pm ET.

The Clippers scored an impressive win on Sunday afternoon, taking down the West-leading Timberwolves 89-88 in Minnesota, but playing their second game in as many days against a Milwaukee team that’s won five in a row (four by double-digits), the Clippers find themselves sizable underdogs.

LA Clippers vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds

Milwaukee comes into tonight’s matchup as a 5.5-point home favorite and -198 on the moneyline in Monday’s NBA odds. The Clippers come back at +164 to win straight-up.

DraftKings app in North Carolina as the state prepares to launch online betting on March 11. 

The Bucks have overtaken Cleveland for the #2 seed in the West during their current five-game win streak, but are only half a game up on the Cavs in the NBA playoff bracket. The Clippers are currently the #4 seed in the West, four games ahead of #5 New Orleans and two back of #3 Denver.

Clippers Take Defensive Slugfest in Minnesota

With last night’s ultra-low-scoring 89-88 win in Minnesota, the Clippers did something they haven’t done all season: win a game while failing to score 100 points.  With 32 points on 12-of-26 shooting, Kawhi Leonard scored 36% of LA’s total points in the game. The Clippers’ defense held Minnesota to just 38.8% shooting from the field and 27.3% from three, managing to win while getting out-rebounded 56-40 by the bigger T-Wolves.

Yesterday’s win was the second straight for LAC, who also demolished Washington 140-115 at home on Friday. But the struggles on offense were an ominous sign for a group that’s just 6-5 in its last 11 games straight-up and 3-7 ATS in its last ten.

The Clippers remain a top-five team in O-Rating (118.9, fifth) while moving up to 12th in D-Rating (114.2) after last night’s immaculate defensive effort.

The only notable injury on the Clippers side is Russell Westbrook, who  suffered a fractured hand last Friday against the Wizards and remains out.

Bucks Rout Chicago for Fifth Straight Win

The Bucks lost back-to-back games heading into the All-Star break but have returned from the hiatus looking like a team on a mission. Milwaukee is a perfect 5-0 post-All-Star break, a streak that started with a 112-107 win at Minnesota as 4.5-point underdogs and has culminated with four straight double-digit victories.

The competition hasn’t been terribly high: a 119-98 win over the Joel Embiid-less 76ers, two wins over Charlotte (123-85 and 111-99), and Friday’s 113-97 demolition of the Bulls in Chicago, but that’s about the only nit you can pick in Milwaukee’s performance.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been particularly potent during the win streak, averaging 31.4 PPG including a 46-point outburst against Chicago.

Concerningly, Giannis has landed on the injury report ahead of Monday night’s game. His is listed as questionable due to tendinitis in his left Achilles. He played 37 minutes against the Bulls on Friday.

Also on the injury report for Milwaukee are Khris Middleton (14.8 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.3 RPG), who’s out with an ankle injury, and MarJon Beauchamp (4.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG), who’s probable with back spasms.

LAC vs MIL Player Props

With Giannis’ status still up in the air, he and Malik Beasley are the only Milwaukee players listed in the Clippers vs Bucks player props. Giannis has the highest point total at 31.5. If he doesn’t dress, wagers on his totals will be voided.

Leonard is the highest Clipper at 26.5. He’s exceeded that in his last two, but was held to 26 or fewer in eight straight games prior.

LA Clippers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

This is a tough spot for the Clippers, playing their second road game in as many nights against one of the hottest teams in the league which is also 24-7 at home. Giannis’ injury designation isn’t a huge concern given that he played 37 minutes last game and has had two full days to rest.

LAC vs MIL pick: Bucks -5.5 (-110)

Sascha Paruk’s 2023-24 NBA betting record:

• 17-21 moneyline (+4.06 units)
• 16-16-2 ATS (-0.32 units)
• 7-12 player props (-6.82 units)
• 0-3 same-game parlay (-3.00 units)

All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise