LeBron James celebrates bucket

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (6) celebrates after breaking the all-time scoring file within the third quarter in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Crypto.com Area. Obligatory Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities

  • The LA Lakers are 5.5-point residence underdogs after they host the Milwaukee Bucks
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is on the damage report however possible to play
  • Learn under for the Bucks vs Lakers preview with odds and prediction

The scoring chase is over, leaving LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (25-30, 13-13 residence) again to the enterprise of making an attempt to get into the playoff image.

It gained’t be straightforward, because the red-hot Milwaukee Bucks (37-17, 14-12 away) come to city. The Bucks have ripped off eight straight wins and will likely be effectively rested for the second and last matchup this season. LA took the primary assembly 133-129 in early December.

All of it will get underway Thursday (Feb 9) at 10pm ET from crypto.com Area. You may watch the sport stay on TNT.

The NBA odds have the visiting Bucks as 5.5-point highway favorites, with -250 odds on the moneyline.

Bucks vs Lakers Odds

Crew Unfold Moneyline Whole
Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-110) -250 OFF
Los Angeles Lakers +5.5 (-110) +205 OFF

Odds as of Feb 8 at FanDuel. Declare the FanDuel promo code to wager on the Bucks vs Lakers recreation.

A few key damage updates on this one: Giannis confirmed up on the damage report with knee soreness, although he’s listed as possible. Brook Lopez (sickness) can be possible, however Joe Ingles (relaxation) and Bobby Portis (knee) are out.

LA additionally struck a deal Wednesday, transferring Russell Westbrook in a three-team commerce that landed them D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley (their standing vs Milwaukee was not identified on the time of publishing).

LeBron tweaked his ankle on his historic night time, and is listed as questionable, whereas Anthony Davis (foot) is possible.

Milwaukee Betting Evaluation

Milwaukee hasn’t performed since Monday, after they kicked off a 3-game swing out west with a 127-108 thumping of the Portland Path Blazers.

Giannis completed with 24 factors, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a tidy 23 minutes of labor. Lopez led the staff in scoring with 27 factors and 9 boards, whereas Jrue Vacation potted 20 with eight dimes.

Khris Middleton continues to construct up power throughout this stretch run, with 13 factors and 5 assists off the bench. Since he’s returned from damage on Jan 23, the Bucks have but to lose a recreation.

A staff that averages 114.5 factors per recreation (thirteenth), Milwaukee has been scorching throughout this streak, placing up 126.6 per night time on 50.3% capturing and a crisp 37.8% from three-point vary.

On the yr, the Bucks are seventh in defensive scoring, holding groups to 111.8 factors per recreation. They rank second in each area purpose (45.3%) and three-point capturing protection (34.6%).

2023 NBA Playoff Odds Tracker

Los Angeles Betting Evaluation

James hit the wanted 36 factors to interrupt Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring mark late within the third quarter. The lengthy in-game ceremony and the emotional excessive crashed the King, although, who completed with 38 factors, seven rebounds and three assists in a 133-130 loss to the OKC Thunder.

Anthony Davis was lifeless Tuesday night time, ending with 13 factors and eight rebounds in a pedestrian 31 minutes of labor. Westbrook did play laborious once more, with 27 factors and eight dimes off the bench, however he had six turnovers, one go uglier than the following.

A heated halftime change with Darvin Ham was additionally information the following day, which have been a think about LA making the deal.

Russell primarily replaces Russ, and brings a strong capturing stroke and extra managed play. Vanderbilt is the versatile huge LA has wanted all yr, and Beasley brings 3-point capturing to a squad that desperately wants it. The Lakers are capturing simply 33.8% from distance (twenty sixth), and makes the 2nd-fewest triples per recreation.

If the brand new guys aren’t in a position to play Thursday, the Lakers’ roster round James and Davis will likely be patchwork — this from a staff that enables 118.6 factors per recreation, the Third-worst mark within the league.

Bucks vs Lakers Betting Prediction

Milwaukee has accomplished work in opposition to the lesser groups, going 5-1 in opposition to the unfold of their final six in opposition to groups with a shedding file. They’re additionally 4-1 ATS within the final 5 conferences with the Lakers.

LA is in thirteenth within the West, 1.5 video games again of the ultimate play-in spot and 4 again of sixth, above the West play-in mess. I’d wish to say there’s a swap they’re going to activate, however this Milwaukee staff is a top-2 decide within the 2023 NBA Championship odds for a cause.

Milwaukee has a hefty +12.5 level differential throughout this streak. Search for them to care for enterprise.

After all, make sure you verify who’s out and in as near gametime as doable, as accidents might shake your betting path.

Choose: 

  • Bucks -5.5 (-110); 1.5 items to win 1.31 items
  • NBA Betting Document: 25-26-1 ATS, 1-1 ML, 5-6 o/u, 0-2 parlays; -8.87 items

Eric Rosales

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Sports activities Author & Editor

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