Okay, Bet US NBA betting nation – it’s going down in a big way on Thursday night. We’re ready with BetUS’ Bucks vs Lakers betting preview.
Two of the top sportsbook betting favorites to reach the 2021 NBA Finals will be going at it when the Milwaukee Bucks will look to hand the Los Angeles Lakers their first road loss of the 2020-21 regular season.
Will the Lakers and their dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis make a statement should they meet Milwaukee in The Finals?
Now, let’s find out where the best online betting value lies in this highly anticipated pairing!
LA Lakers (11-4) at Milwaukee Bucks (9-5)
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Fiserv Forum
TV: TNT
NBA Odds: OFF
Total: OFF
Let’s take a look at the odds to win the 2021 NBA Conference Championships!
Lakers Looking Like a Runaway Train
There’s no other way to say it. Right now, the Lakers (8-7 ATS, 5-10 O/U) look like a runaway train that isn’t going to be beaten in the Western Conference.
Yes, I know LA just had its five-game winning streak snapped by the Golden State Warriors in Monday’s stunning 115-113 collapse.
James is putting up 23.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists all while playing a career-low 32.1 minutes per game and Davis is at easy 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. However, it has been the additions of veteran point guard Dennis Schroeder (14.8 ppg) and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell (14.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg) that have given the Lakers a more formidable look.
The Lakers have gone a surprisingly modest 4-4 at home, but an unblemished 7-0 on the road. Los Angeles is averaging 115.3 points per game (6th) on 48.8% shooting from the field (2nd) and 39.1% from beyond the arc (5th). Defensively, LA is limiting the opposition to 105.1 points per game (5th) on 44.5% shooting from the field (5th) and 33.8% from beyond the arc (4th).
Bucks Still Ballin’
The Bucks (8-7 ATS, 5-10 O/U) might have suffered their second straight playoff collapse last postseason, but Milwaukee is still a team to be reckoned with. The Bucks had their four-game winning streak snapped by falling to Brooklyn 125-123 in the Big Apple on Monday night, but Milwaukee is 6-1 at home and playing the usually solid brand of basketball at both ends of the floor.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting up a team-high 27.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, the Bucks are now a much more balanced team offensively than in years past. Khris Middleton has been outstanding in putting up 22.1 points per game on a blistering 52.7% from the field and 43.9% from beyond the arc.
In other NBA news, newly acquired veteran combo guard Jrue Holiday has made a massive difference at both ends of the floor while putting up 15.7 points and 5.1 assists per game, and Milwaukee’s role players like Bobby Portis, Donte DiVencenzo and Brook Lopez have been rock-solid.
Milwaukee averages 120.4 points per game (2nd) on 48.5% from the field (5th) and 40.3% from downtown (2nd). Defensively, the Bucks are allowing 110.6 points per game (16th) on 45.1% from the field (11th) and 37.7% from beyond the arc (20th).
Who’s the Pick?
The Lakers might be unbeaten on the road, but the Bucks have only lost once at home and they probably need to make a statement in this game more than the defending champs. For NBA picks, I like Milwaukee’s depth and the fact that they have a player that can actually give LeBron and AD problems in Antetokounmpo.
Middleton is playing lights out and there just aren’t many better two-way players in the entire league than Holiday .
The Lakers are 1-8 SU in their last nine road dates against the Bucks and 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings overall. Milwaukee has gone an uninspiring 2-4 ATS in its last six games, but I like the Bucks to cover what should be a really manageable spread!
Pick: Bucks 120, Lakers 115
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