The highly anticipated battle between the reigning MVP and the consensus “best player in the league” will have to wait, as Kawhi Leonard won’t play on Wednesday. Despite his absence, the Clippers are slight favorites at home ... meaning bettors should look at the Bucks for action on Wednesday.
- Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Clippers (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 6, 9:30 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: NBATV
- Sportsbook Odds: Los Angeles -1.5 | O/U 228 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Clippers, off to a fantastic start, are still favored at home against Milwaukee despite Kawhi Leonard sitting this one out, though the 1.5-point Sportsbook spread suggests it’s basically a pick’em game. With the Clippers missing their key defensive cog, and Milwaukee leading the NBA in team scoring, the total opened high at 228 points.
Milwaukee News & Notes
Last season, Milwaukee led the NBA in scoring, opponent field-goal percentage and point differential. Through eight games this year, the Bucks again are first in scoring, sit second in point differential and are fourth in opponent field-goal percentage.
Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo muscled his way to the league MVP award. This year he’s continuing his assault by averaging 27.7 points, 14 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez are providing their usual scoring, but Milwaukee has recently seen some production for 2018 first-round pick Donte DiVincenzo.
After being a non-factor last season, he’s scored in double figures twice in his last three games, including 17 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes during Monday’s win against Minnesota.
Milwaukee is still looking for someone to replace Malcolm Brogdon’s production, and DiVincenzo elevating to that role could be the difference-maker the Bucks are searching for.
Los Angeles News & Notes
With Wednesday’s game the front half of a back-to-back, the Clippers are choosing to rest superstar Kawhi Leonard, citing “load management.”
This will be the second time Leonard, who leads the Clippers in points, rebounds and assists, will sit due to rest this season. The first marked Los Angeles’ only time in its Sportsbook seven games that it failed to crack 100 points.
With Paul George also still rehabbing from offseason surgeries, the Clippers will likely have to rely on Montrezl Harrell (third on the team with 19.3 points per game) and Moe Harkless to keep Antetokounmpo in check, while also powering the offense.
It’s a big ask against a physical Milwaukee squad, but with Leonard likely sitting 20 to 30 games this season, the Clippers will have to prove they can win without Kawhi … and against quality opponents.
Betting Pick: Bucks +1
The Clippers still have talent sans Kawhi, but I don’t think they have enough to contain Giannis and a strong Milwaukee squad. Give me the road Bucks to cover.
- Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
- The UNDER has hit in 5 of the Clippers’ last 7 games this season.
- The Clippers are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS at home this season.
