The Milwaukee Bucks (6-8 SU, 6-8 ATS) host the Los Angeles Lakers (8-7, 5-10) at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday as the two most recent NBA champions collide for the first time this season. The Bucks will look to stop a two-game skid while the Lakers are 4-4 in November.
- Date/Time: November 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Fiserv Forum
- TV Coverage: ESPN, Bally Sport WI, Spectrum Sports Net
- Sportsbook Odds: Bucks -9 | O/U 211.5 (Line History)
- Lakers vs Bucks Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bucks opened as 9-point favorites over the Lakers in Wednesday’s meeting with the total set at 211.5 points. The UNDER is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between the two teams while Los Angeles is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games.
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Los Angeles News & Notes
The Lakers have continued to struggle without LeBron James, who has been sidelined since November 2 with an abdominal strain. Los Angeles is 3-4 over that stretch, dropping its last game on Monday 121-103 to the Chicago Bulls.
The three-pronged attack of Talen Horton-Tucker (28 points), Russell Westbrook (25 points) and Anthony Davis (20 points) was effective in the loss, but they didn’t have much support as no other scorer hit double digits.
Other than James, the Lakers will also be missing Kendrick Nunn (knee), Austin Reaves (hamstring) and Trevor Ariza (ankle). Davis has been nursing a thumb injury but is probable for Wednesday.
Milwaukee News & Notes
After winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy last season, many were picking the Bucks to repeat as champions in 2021-22. To the surprise of many, they’ve had a sputtering start to the season at 6-8 while dropping four of their last six games.
Milwaukee fell 120-100 to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday as Trae Young dropped 42 points on the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to lead Milwaukee while Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen chipped in with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
On the injury front, Brook Lopez (back) is out, George Hill (back) is probable and Khris Middleton (personal) is probable.
How Los Angeles Will Cover
While the Lakers are still without James, they did get Horton-Tucker back into the lineup Sunday and he’s gotten off to a hot start, averaging 22.5 points through two games. Obviously no one can replace LeBron, but if Horton-Tucker can keep up the pace and provide an extra threat next to Davis and Westbrook, the Lakers stand a fighting chance to at least cover the spread.
How Milwaukee Will Cover
The Bucks have certainly underperformed thus far, but they’re still a strong team on paper. Middleton, the team’s second-leading scorer, has only played six games this season, but he’ll likely be back Wednesday to provide some added scoring punch. Coming up against the Lakers’ 27th-ranked defense (112.5 points against per game), the Bucks should have plenty of opportunity to run up the score.
Computer Pick: Lakers +7.5
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Milwaukee is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
- The OVER is 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last 5 games.
- Milwaukee is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games.
