Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 12/20/2024

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, December 20, 2024

Venue:  Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

Where to Watch:  NBA TV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Bucks +5, Cavaliers -5; Over/Under:  230 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Bucks +5, Cavaliers -5; Over/Under:  230 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Bucks +5, Cavaliers -5; Over/Under:  230 points

Milwaukee Bucks:  14-11 (2nd place, Central Division)

Cleveland Cavaliers:  23-4 (1st place, Central Division)

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Milwaukee Bucks:  8-2 last 10

Cleveland Cavaliers:  7-3 last 10

The Bucks are entering this game with a 14-11 record overall this season and they are 4-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Brooklyn Nets, the Orlando Magic, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in points in that game with 26 while Damian Lillard was next on the team with 23 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in rebounds with 19. They were 42% from the field, 42.5% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.9 PPG against them. The Bucks have an ATS record of 11-14-1 this season and their O/U record is 11-15.

The Cavaliers are entering this game with a 23-4 record overall this season and they are 14-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets. Evan Mobley led the team in points in that game with 21 while Caris LeVert was next on the team with 19 points. Darius Garland and Ty Jerome each led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Georges Niang led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 53.1% from the field, 40.4% from 3-point range, and 86.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 121.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.9 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 19-8 this season and their O/U record is 17-10.

The current betting odds have the Cavaliers listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cavaliers have looked great in their games this season with their 23-4 record overall which has them right at the top of the East with the best record in the entire NBA. They have looked even better on their home court this year with their 14-1 home record and they have some momentum on their side with 2 wins in a row now. Meanwhile, the Bucks have looked good in their games this season with their 14-11 record overall which has them in the top half of the East and they have been really hot lately. The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10 games and they have a lot of momentum with 4 wins in a row now, but they have also looked a lot worse in their road games this season. They are 4-7 in their road games and even though they have been hot lately, they are coming off a win in the NBA Cup Final so they are due for a bit of a let down after winning that tournament. The Cavaliers have been off all week so they are more rested for this game and they are going to bring their best effort at home to burst this Bucks bubble that they are riding high on. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cavaliers to cover the spread in this game. 

Bucks Cavaliers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, December 20, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Cavaliers 115 Bucks 105.

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Milwaukee Bucks: 17-26 ATS as an underdog. 6-20 ATS as a road underdog of 6 points or less. 4-7 ATS off an upset win as an underdog. 18-6 UNDER as an underdog  of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 23-14 UNDER in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 230. 12-6 UNDER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 70%).

Cleveland Cavaliers: 32-17 ATS as a home favorite of 6 points or less. 7-4 ATS when playing with 3 or more days rest. 51-35 ATS versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 36% or more of their attempts. 21-13 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 7-4 UNDER when playing with 3 or more days rest.

Milwaukee Bucks:  K. Middleton (SF) Day To Day - Illness.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  I. Okoro (SG) Out - Shoulder. C. Porter (PG) Day To Day - Ankle. J. Tyson (SG) Day To Day - Illness. M. Strus (SF) Day To Day - Ankle. E. Bates Out - Knee.

"By the way, we brought our secret weapon. Darvin Ham is now an undefeated coach in two years in this cup." - Doc Rivers after his team’s win against the Thunder in the NBA Cup Final on Tuesday.

“The journey after Brooklyn really helped me grow as a coach. But I will tell you I’m competitive, and when you have setbacks, you remember things, right? You’re motivated to prove people wrong.” - Kenny Atkinson on his time in Brooklyn with the Nets. 

PG Damian Lillard

SG Khris Middleton 

SF Taurean Prince

PF Giannis Antetokounmpo 

C Brook Lopez

PG Darius Garland

SG Donovan Mitchell

SF Georges Niang

PF Evan Mobley

C Jarrett Allen

PPG: G. Antetokounmpo (32.7)

APG: D. Lillard (7.5)

Reb/G: G. Antetokounmpo (11.5)

PPG: D. Mitchell (23.3)

APG: D. Garland (6.5)

Reb/G: J. Allen (10.3)

Coaches:

Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers (2nd season)

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kenny Atkinson (1st season)