Banged-Up Bucks Visit Surging Clippers

Milwaukee (29-16 SU, 20-25 ATS) was without Giannis Antetokounmpo and three other starters in Saturday’s loss to the Knicks, but the Bucks are expected to be close to full strength when they take on Los Angeles. The Clippers (31-16, 27-20) are on a 5-0 SU and ATS surge and have won 17 of the last 20 meetings in LA.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Not many sportsbooks had opened a line by the time of writing Monday morning, but the few that did were offering LA as a favorite of either 1 or 1.5 points. Milwaukee, which has won the past four meetings, was a 1.5-point home favorite when it beat the Clippers 105-100 on February 28.

Milwaukee News & Notes

The Bucks are a banged-up team these days, having just one of their starters — Brook Lopez — available for Saturday’s home game against the Knicks. Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo in the lineup, Milwaukee played the Knicks tough, rallying from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game late before eventually falling 102-96.

Antetokounmpo was scratched for the second time in a week due to a left knee sprain, although he did suit up for two games in between against Boston. Coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters Saturday that sitting Giannis was just a precautionary measure on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Greek Freak didn’t look like himself in those two games against the Celtics, averaging just 14.5 points.

Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Holiday and DiVincenzo aren’t listed on the Bucks’ latest injury report, indicating they should all be available to help Milwaukee break out of its recent funk. In addition to losing two straight after winning 13 of their previous 14, the Bucks are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games and have covered just one of their last seven on the road.

Los Angeles News & Notes

Kawhi Leonard had 28 points Saturday and Paul George added 24 as LA won and covered for the fifth straight game, beating the 76ers 122-112. The Clippers are also 7-2 SU and ATS in their last nine, with six of those seven wins coming by double-digit margins, and they haven’t allowed more than 112 points in seven straight games.

With trade deadline acquisition Rajon Rondo yet to suit up and Patrick Beverley nursing a knee injury, Terance Mann is making the most of the opportunity to get more playing time. Mann has scored at least 16 points in three of his last five outings, including 22 points on Saturday.

Mann will get another chance to impress tonight as Rondo (adductor) and Beverley have been ruled out against the Bucks. Serge Ibaka will also miss his eighth straight game due to a sore back.

Betting Pick: Bucks +1

With Milwaukee Sportsbook a six-game road trip and its top players having had two days’ rest, this looks like a great situational spot to back the Bucks.