Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/08/2024

Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Friday, March 8, 2024

Venue:  Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Bucks +1, Lakers -1; Over/Under:  236.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Bucks +1, Lakers -1; Over/Under:  236.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Bucks +1, Lakers -1; Over/Under:  236.5 points

Milwaukee Bucks:  41-22 (1st place, Central Division)

Los Angeles Lakers:  34-30 (5th place, Pacific Division)

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Milwaukee Bucks:  7-3 last 10

Los Angeles Lakers:  6-4 last 10

The Bucks are entering this game with a 41-22 record overall and they are 16-15 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 in their last game. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in points in that game with 23 while Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis Jr. each were next on the team with 20 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 38.2% from the field, 28.2% from 3-point range, and 73.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117 PPG against them. The Bucks have an ATS record of 27-35-1 this season and their O/U record is 29-33-1.

The Lakers are entering this game with a 34-30 record overall and they are 22-11 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Sacramento Kings in their last game. LeBron James led the team in points in that game with 31 while Rui Hachimura was next on the team with 29 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 13 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 51.9% from the field, 46.9% from 3-point range, and 84% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 29-36 this season and their O/U record is 34-30-1.

The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 1 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 34-30 record overall which has them in a play-in spot for the playoffs in the West right now. They have also looked a lot better on their home court this year with their 22-11 home record. Meanwhile, the Bucks have looked great in their games this season with their 41-22 record overall which has them right near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. As good as the Bucks have been this season, they just haven't looked great in their road games this year. They still have a winning record on the road but are only 16-15 and now coming off a loss in their last one. The Bucks have been hot lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games, but the Lakers have also been hot as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Just like the Bucks, the Lakers are coming off a loss in their last one but they lost at home to the Kings who are a close division rival and they will be looking to bounce back in a big way here. The Bucks have looked really good lately but they haven't been at their best in road games all season and the Lakers can take advantage of that on their home court in this bounce back situation. 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, March 8, 2024 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Lakers 123 Bucks 117.

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Milwaukee Bucks: 13-28 ATS as a road underdog. 4-10 ATS off a road loss. 13-22 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 7-1 UNDER as a road underdog. 8-3 UNDER after 8 or more consecutive unders. 

Los Angeles Lakers: 5-1 ATS against Central division opponents. 7-3 ATS off a home loss. 13-7 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more. 6-3 UNDER as a home underdog. 40-29 UNDER after allowing 130 points or more.

Milwaukee Bucks:  C. Livingston (SF) Ques Fri - Groin. K. Middleton (SF) Out indefinitely - Ankle.

Los Angeles Lakers:  C. Reddish (SF) Ques Fri - Ankle. G. Vincent (SG) Late March - Knee. J. Vanderbilt (SF) Mid March - Foot. C. Castleton (C) Out indefinitely - Wrist. C. Wood (PF) Mid March - Knee.

“I really didn’t think this was our defense, I thought it was our offense. I didn't think we played solid offense all night.” - Doc Rivers after his team’s loss against the Warriors in their game on Wednesday.

“They got a few easy opportunities in transition and they were able to get inside and make some tough shots. The sense of urgency we have to be able to maintain that. We talk about forcing our will on the game. We obviously initiated it, but we didn’t sustain it and we damn sure didn’t finish it.” - Darvin Ham after his team’s loss against the Kings in their game on Wednesday.

PG Damian Lillard

SG Malik Beasley

SF Jae Crowder 

PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

C Brook Lopez

PG D'Angelo Russell

SG Austin Reaves

SF LeBron James

PF Rui Hachimura

C Anthony Davis

PPG: G. Antetokounmpo (30.7)

APG: D. Lillard (6.7)

Reb/G: G. Antetokounmpo (11.2)

PPG: L. James (25.3)

APG: L. James (8)

Reb/G: A. Davis (12.3)

Coaches:

Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers (1st season)

Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (2nd season)