LeBron James officially passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the All-Time leading scorer in the last Los Angeles Lakers game. Their next game will be on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the team that drafted Abdul-Jabbar.
The Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 133-130 on Tuesday, despite James scoring 38 points, 36 of which came in the first three quarters to break the scoring record. On the other hand, the Bucks have been dominant, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 127-108 on Monday for their eighth straight win.
Let’s check the latest NBA news, stats, injury report and NBA lines for the Bucks vs Lakers. We’ve got plenty of NBA picks for you to consider.
Bucks Dominating
The Bucks now find themselves 1½ games behind the Boston Celtics for the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have used this eight-game win streak to creep up on the Celtics, who’ve had firm control over the East.
Arguably the most dominant player in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been on a complete tear since returning from missing five games. Over the last eight games, the two-time MVP is averaging 37.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. He had two 50+ point games and a triple-double during this stretch.
What has also helped in the Bucks’ run is the support from the others around Antetokounmpo. Jrue Holiday will be going to his second All-Star Game, despite struggling offensively during the winning streak but remaining an elite defender. Brook Lopez can have a solid scoring night here and there, dropping 27 against the Trail Blazers, but like Holiday, he is a crucial part of the defense. The Bucks have the third-best defensive rating overall and the second over these eight games.
However, the most vital thing might have been the return of Khris Middleton. He has been leading the second unit since Bobby Portis suffered an injury. Middleton is averaging 18 minutes per game, scoring 14.4 points.
Lakers Making Headlines
It seemed very clear where the Lakers‘ focus was when facing the Thunder: Getting James to break the scoring record. There were 10 seconds left in the third quarter when he achieved this massive accomplishment, and the game was paused for a 10-minute ceremony.
James only scored two more points, as the team committed eight turnovers in the final quarter, looking distracted. Surprisingly, Russell Westbrook seemed like the only player focused on winning the game, scoring 14 of his 27 points in the last 12 minutes but committing three turnovers.
However, Westbrook will no longer be on the Lakers, being traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade. The Lakers finally decided on a Westbrook trade they liked, acquiring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Somehow, the Lakers only had to give up one future first-round draft pick and a bunch of role players.
Russell and Beasley immediately offer better perimeter scoring options than what the Lakers previously had. Both are quality 3-point threats, which is what the Lakers need. Vanderbilt is not as offensively skilled like the guards in the trade but is a solid defender.
Bucks vs Lakers Game Injuries
Bucks vs Lakers Head-to-Head
The first game between these teams is an early candidate for the game of the season, with the Lakers beating the Bucks 133-129 on Dec. 2. The bigs were on display, with Anthony Davis scoring 44 points and Antetokounmpo finishing with 40.
Bucks vs Lakers Game Information
- Game: Bucks (37-17) vs Lakers (25-30)
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Day/Time: Thursday, Feb. 9, 10:00 p.m. EST
- Bucks vs Lakers Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Bucks vs Lakers Betting Lines
Bucks vs Lakers Picks and Prediction
With all the other things going on for the Lakers, it might be hard for them to put forward their best effort when playing the Bucks. Furthermore, the Bucks have easily been the best team over the last eight games.
The Lakers roster is about to be completely different, but not in time for this game. Which could lead to the Bucks having control for most of the game.
The Milwaukee Bucks are listed at -235 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Bucks, you have a chance to win $43. The Los Angeles Lakers are +195, offering a chance to win $195 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the NBA betting lines gives the Milwaukee Bucks a 70.15% chance to win, with the Los Angeles Lakers at 33.90%.
Bucks vs Lakers Trends
Bucks vs Lakers Edge
Bucks vs Lakers Results
Bucks vs Lakers Game Summary
Lakers vs Bucks Previous Game (Dec. 02, 2022)
LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the Los Angeles Lakers to Wisconsin to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rough start to the season, but with Davis on fire and James doing what he always does, they still remain in playoff contention. Regardless, the stars on either team can take over at any moment, making the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks a game to witness.
Clearly, these NBA betting lines favor the Bucks, and rightfully so. This team is incredibly well-rounded, the energy is there, and the star power pulls it all together. The spread at -8.5 feels a bit generous, especially with the clear skill difference between these teams. I am confident in the Bucks -8.5, but be cautious, as the Lakers duo can heat up at any moment.
However, I would absolutely hit the Milwaukee Moneyline due to the sports betting odds being so high. The team is incredibly dominant, and with the moneyline sitting at -340, the odds are in your favor. Additionally, the over/under on the total game score is 231, and both teams are middle of the pack in points per game. Hitting the under here is your best bet.
