Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The winner of the NBA Cup final will be decided on Wednesday, when the Milwaukee Bucks take on Oklahoma City Thunder at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder prop bets - tips and predictions

Milwaukee +5 - 20/21

The fledgling NBA Cup has yet to capture the heart of the hoops nation but if there's any showdown that sees this mid-season contest in its best light then it could well be this one.

Vegas welcomes the Western Conference's undoubted superpower, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and one of the games' modern greats, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks side.

It's a box-office clash between two box-office teams and as Jalen Williams of OKC says, it's the closest thing you can get to a playoff game.

That makes it serious for these conference flagbearers, both in great form and ready to put on a show.

Oklahoma City carry the cloak of favouritism with their 20-5 record which sits them atop the west. They are 9-1 in their last 10.

Milwaukee, who have had to put in the hard yards following a dreadful 1-6 start to their campaign, have won eight of their last 10 and sit fifth in the east. Few doubt they will finish higher than that.

What the Bucks also have, something that the Thunder has yet to acquire, is a champion's knowledge with Antetokounmpo having guided the franchise to NBA glory as recently as 2021.

That could be important in what promises to be a tight affair, a game where the play has to be the underdog Bucks covering a five-point spread.

Over the last 10 games, in hot streaks for both sides, there has been very little between the scoring power, with the Thunder averaging 117.1 points per game, the Bucks 116.3. It's OKC's defense that stands out, led by the outstanding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, big man Isaiah Hartenstein who has shone in Chet Holmgren's absence, plus add-ons like Alex Caruso who all know their roles.

They force turnovers, tie down big stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and make a mess of opposition shooting stats.

The question of course, is can Mark Daigneault's wonderful-drilled unit lock down Giannis, the league's top scorer with 32.7ppg, or Damian Lillard, who chips in with 25.7. It's a superstar frontcourt, is playing well and can keep the Bucks interested.

Brook Lopez Over 14.5 Points, Assists & Rebounds - 20/23

Brook Lopez had a shooting night to remember as the Bucks downed the Hawks in the semi-finals, pouring in 16 points on 70 percent shooting.

The big center had gone quiet as a frontcourt threat over the previous few nights, averaging just 5 points in his first five games of the month.

But Lopez will always have a big scoring game in him - six times this season he has cleared 15 points and is averaging 11.2ppg.

In a team where the Greek Freak and Lillard dominate the scoring, Lopez's contributions are even more notable and add in the rebounds he pulls down - and the odd assist - and he looks a decent play to clock up over 14.5 points, assists and rebounds.

He is averaging 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists for an aggregate points, rebounds and assists average of 17.7.

OKC are the defensive leaders in the league this season but with so much of their focus on Giannis and Lillard, Lopez can post some numbers.

Read more US sports betting tips and predictions on site.

Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder Money line, spread, over/under

Milwaukee Bucks	17/10
Oklahoma City Thunder	20/41
Spread	MIL +5.0 20/21; OKC -5.0 20/23
Total Points	O/U 215.0 10/11

Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder player props

Player Points

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil)	O 30.5 20/27
Damian Lillard (Mil)	O 23.5 20/21
Brook Lopez (Mil)	O 8.5 5/6
Alex Caruso (OKC)	O 5.5 20/23
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	O 32.5 20/23
Jalen Williams (OKC)	O 22.5 10/11

Isaiah Hartenstein Over 3.5 Assists - 20/23

Isaiah Hartenstein has been a revelation for Oklahoma City, stepping up when Chet Holmgren got injured and delivering night on night.

His battle with Giannis will be mouth-watering and clearly Hartenstein should fancy his chances given he is averaging 12.3 rebounds and, more impressively, 12.5 points.

He is a vital weapon at both ends of the floor for the Thunder, and it's also worth looking at his assists to see another facet of his game.

Hartenstein is averaging 4.1 assists this season and has had four or more in six of 10 appearances. Keep the faith by betting him to have at least another four at the T-Mobile.

Read Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder: How to watch in the UK, TV Channel, live stream, date, kick-off time and team news.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.