Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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The top two teams in the Central Division collide on the hardwood in search of a victory when they battle on the shores of Lake Erie. It’s the Milwaukee Bucks making the trip to travel to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night. Milwaukee stunned Sacramento 143-142 in overtime at home in their previous game Tuesday night though they failed to cover the line as a 4.5-point favorite. Cleveland rolled to a 109-91 home victory over Chicago in their previous game Tuesday night, covering the line as a 4.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Bucks own a 131-99 advantage, including a 119-111 road win in the first matchup this season on December 29, 2023.
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Milwaukee Bucks Look to Extend Central Division Edge
Milwaukee won their third straight game as they outlasted Sacramento in overtime at the buzzer on a Damian Lillard three-pointer Tuesday night. The Bucks entered Tuesday 28-12 on the season and lead the Central Division by four games over the Cavaliers. They were second in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday night, three games behind the Celtics for the top spot. Against Sacramento, Milwaukee trailed by five after the opening quarter, led by two at the half and by four after three quarters only to see the Kings rally to force overtime. The Bucks trailed by six with 2:57 remaining in overtime and by four with 33.2 seconds left only to rally for the win. Milwaukee shot 52.2% from the field, including 20 of 43 from three-point range, and allowed the Kings to shoot 52.4% in the game yet managed to earn the win. Lillard led the Bucks with 29 points and eight assists in the win.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 15, 2024
The Bucks are 2 in the league in scoring offense with 125 points per game on the season. Milwaukee is 9 in rebounding by pulling down 44.4 boards per contest while the team is 11 by dishing out 26.8 assists per game. The Bucks are 24 in the league in scoring defense as they allow 119.9 points per contest this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading Milwaukee with 31.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest this season. Brook Lopez chips in 12.8 points plus 5.2 boards per game while Damian Lillard (25.2 points, 6.8 assists), Bobby Portis (12.6 points, 6.9 boards), Khris Middleton (14.7 points) and Malik Beasley (11.9 points) are good secondary scoring options. Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are solid pieces in the mix as well. Milwaukee is 3 in the league in field goal percentage by shooting 50.2% as a team this season. The Bucks are 5 in threes per game by draining 14.4 triples per contest and stand 3 in three-point shooting by hitting 38.3% of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Crowder (groin) last played on November 11 and suffered a left adductor plus an abdominal tear. He is expected to be out at least eight weeks, putting him out until mid-January at best.
Cleveland Cavaliers Try to Gain Ground in Central Division
Cleveland won their fifth straight game as they took down Chicago at home in their previous contest Tuesday night. The Cavaliers improved to 23-15 on the season and stood third in the Central Division, four games behind the Bucks for the top spot. They were fourth in the Eastern Conference, seven games behind the Celtics for the top spot and are one game ahead of the Knicks record-wise to remain in a guaranteed playoff position. Against Chicago, Cleveland jumped in front 8-0 early and led by 19 after the opening quarter. The Cavaliers were up 14 at the half, by three after three quarters and actually trailed 81-80 with 10:01 remaining. Cleveland regrouped, reeling off 10 straight points to take a 90-81 lead with 8:07 to play and went on to the win. The Cavaliers shot 41.1% from the floor, including 20 of 57 from three-point range, and held a 48-43 advantage on the boards in the game. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 34 points and seven assists in the win.
ICYMI: 2⃣0⃣ three-pointers were made last night. #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/W6ncfvM0dq
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 16, 2024
The Cavaliers come into this one ranked 21 in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 113.1 points per game this season. Cleveland is 8 in rebounding as they grab 44.9 boards per contest and stand 13 in assists by handing out 26.4 dimes a contest this year. The Cavaliers are 3 in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 110.7 points per game this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the way in the scoring department for Cleveland as he puts up 28.1 points plus 5.8 assists a night on the year. Evan Mobley (16 points, 10.5 boards), Darius Garland (20.7 points, 5.9 assists), Isaac Okoro (8.6 points), Jarrett Allen (14.6 points, 10.1 rebounds) and Caris LeVert (16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists) each are solid secondary options. Max Strus (13.1 points), Dean Wade, Tristan Thompson, Georges Niang, Ty Jerome, Craig Porter and Damian Jones are other contributors in the Cavaliers’ rotation. Cleveland is 15 in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.2% from the floor as a team on the year. The Cavaliers are 14 by knocking down an average of 13 three-pointers a night while they are 26 by connecting on 35.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Jerome (ankle) has been out since October 28 while Garland (jaw) last played December 14: both players are out indefinitely. Mobley (knee) last played on December 6 and is expected to be out until mid-January.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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These two teams are the top two squads in the Central Division and have momentum on their side coming into this game. Milwaukee has won three straight while Cleveland has five consecutive wins on the books. This one is going to be interesting as the Bucks are extremely dangerous on the offensive end of the floor and are leaky defensively. On the flip side, Cleveland has been stingy on the defensive end of the floor while they have struggled offensively on the year. We saw the Bucks take the first meeting between the teams this season. Cleveland being minus Garland and Mobley is too much for the Cavaliers to overcome here. Give the advantage to the Bucks as they prevail in this contest.
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks -4
Full-Game Total Pick
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Milwaukee has gone over the total in 25 of their 40 games so far this season entering Wednesday’s contest. The Bucks are 9th in the league by committing 13.2 turnovers per game this season while they are fourth in terms of tempo by averaging 101.7 possessions a night. Cleveland had stayed under the number in 19 of their first 38 games, with one push, this season. The Cavaliers are 20th in the league by committing 14 turnovers per game on the season while they are 23rd in tempo with an average of 98.1 possessions a night. We saw only 230 points in the first meeting between the teams this season and this one likely ends up in a similar range. Lean toward the under in this contest.
Prediction: Under 238
Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO. If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career. Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.
