Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/09/2026

Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Friday, January 9, 2026

Venue:  Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch:  NBA TV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Bucks +2.5, Lakers -2.5; Over/Under:  231.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Bucks +2.5, Lakers -2.5; Over/Under:  231.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Bucks +2.5, Lakers -2.5; Over/Under:  231.5 points

Milwaukee Bucks:  16-21 (4th place, Central Division)

Los Angeles Lakers:  23-12 (1st place, Pacific Division)

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Milwaukee Bucks:  5-5 last 10

Los Angeles Lakers:  5-5 last 10

The Bucks are entering this game with a 16-21 record overall this season and they are 7-12 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Golden State Warriors. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in points in that game with 34 while Ryan Rollins was next on the team with 16 points. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 54.1% from the field, 43.8% from 3-point range, and 58.3% 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 115.6 PPG against them. The Bucks have an ATS record of 17-20 this season and their O/U record is 16-21.

The Lakers are entering this game with a 23-12 record overall this season and they are 10-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the San Antonio Spurs. Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 38 while Jake LaRavia was next on the team with 16 points. Luka Dončić led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Luka Dončić led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 39.5% from the field, 23.1% from 3-point range, and 63.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.5 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 20-15 this season and their O/U record is 21-14.

The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked really good in their games this season with their 23-12 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have looked good on their home court too with their 10-6 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Bucks haven't looked good in their games this season with their 16-21 record overall which has them in the bottom half of the East. They haven't been a great road team either with their 7-12 road record this season. The Bucks are off a loss to the Warriors in their last one and they haven't looked great all season. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games too and they have been getting by against a lot of bad opponents. The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the West all season and that has been with key players in and out of the lineup too. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and they are off a terrible loss to the Spurs in their last one, but they will be looking to bounce back at home. They have been rolling over a lot of the bad opponents they have faced over the last few weeks and this game will be no different with how good they have looked at home this season. Look for the Lakers to bounce back in a big way against a Bucks team that has not looked good for most of the season. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game. 

Bucks Lakers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, January 9, 2026 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 120 Bucks 112.

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Milwaukee Bucks: 14-22 ATS on the road in non-conference games. 19-26 ATS on the road versus good offensive teams - scoring 116+ points/game. 16-27 ATS on the road versus poor defensive teams - allowing 116+ points/game. 31-20 OVER when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days.

Los Angeles Lakers: 21-15 ATS vs. poor rebounding teams - outrebounded by opponents by 3+ per game. 24-14 ATS at home when playing against a team with a losing record. 41-29 ATS at home versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 24 free throws/game or less. 15-8 OVER against Central division opponents.

Milwaukee Bucks:  T. Prince (SF) Out - Neck.

Los Angeles Lakers:  L. James (SF) Day To Day - Foot. A. Thiero (SF) Out - Knee. R. Hachimura (PF) Out - Calf. A. Reaves (SG) Out - Calf.

“It was a margin game for sure, but they won the margin of playing their system longer than we stayed with our system.” - Doc Rivers after his team’s loss against the Warriors in their game on Wednesday.

“Every night, he doesn’t have his best stuff, but he has enough to win,” Redick said. “I’m his catcher and I’ve got to figure it out.” - J.J. Redick on LeBron James this season.

PG Kevin Porter Jr.

SG Ryan Rollins

SF AJ Green

PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

C Myles Turner

PG Luka Doncic

SG Marcus Smart

SF Jake LaRavia

PF LeBron James

C Deandre Ayton

PPG: Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.5)

APG: Kevin Porter Jr. (7.8)

Reb/G: Giannis Antetokounmpo (10)

PPG: Luka Doncic (33.7)

APG: Luka Doncic (8.8)

Reb/G: Deandre Ayton (8.5)

Coaches:

Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers (3rd season)

Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (2nd season)