Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Los Angeles Lakers minus LeBron James are going to struggle to silence Milwaukee Bucks' ace Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has amends to make. 

Continue reading for our experts' picks and predictions for Thursday night's game.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks betting picks and predictions

Over 225.5 Total Points (-110)

The Bucks and the Lakers meet for the first time this season with Milwaukee installed as 6.5-point favorites at the Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks (36-28) sit fourth in the Eastern Conference but suit up off a three-game losing streak.

The Lakers (40-23) are also in fourth spot in the Western Conference and have lost two on the spin without LeBron James.

LA have had a three-day rest since a 111-108 loss to Brooklyn, who hadn't won in seven prior to that game.

But three days won't be enough to get James off the treatment table as the veteran All-Star rests a groin strain.

That leaves Luka Doncic to lead the Lakers offensively and he will need to improve on his 8-for-26 shooting display against the Nets. In 12 games since moving to Los Angeles he is averaging 25.4 points, however, so the Bucks will be on their guard.

Milwaukee played Tuesday at Indiana and it was a night Giannis Antetokounmpo will want to forget in a hurry.

The Greek Freak had had a decent night with 19 points and 17 rebounds getting the Bucks up 114-111 with 3.9 seconds on the clock. But he then fouled Tyrese Haliburton making a fadeaway three, who went to the line to make the extra point.

And Antetokounmpo's buzzer-beating 3-point attempt fell short leaving the Pacers to celebrate and the Bucks to sink to their knees.

The Lakers swept the Bucks last season but Milwaukee will like their chances with James missing, but also with Jaxson Hayes out.

It leaves the Lakers severely undersized and Giannis, averaging 30.7 points this season, can hit that sort of level here.

The 6.5-point spread looks on the money; the points total of 225.5, however, might be short especially if Giannis and Damian Lillard can get plenty of looks at the basket.

Brook Lopez Over 11.5 Points (-130)

It was only a few weeks ago that whispers surfaced of Brook Lopez going back to the Lakers, though whatever happened behind the scenes Splash Mountain has stayed in Milwaukee.

And the Bucks need their 36-year-old veteran, NBA winner and locker room leader, a big, shooting center whose numbers are still impressive despite the veteran status.

At the Pacers on Tuesday, big Brook poured in 23 points - albeit in a losing cause - and is averaging 12.5 points per game this season. Since the All-Star Break he is up at 14.2.

Lopez's assets are obvious and his defensive importance cannot be downplayed - only Victor Wembanyama has more blocks in the league in '24/25.

But up against an undersized Lakers' team he can also be a major threat at the other end of the court and is worth backing to beat his average and rack up at least 11.5 points at -130.

Jarred Vanderbilt Over 6.5 Rebounds (-135)

The Lakers need their few remaining big guys to step up minus LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura, with Jarred Vanderbilt tipped for a big night.

Vanderbilt is averaging 5.6 rebounds per game this season but he's upped that to 7.2 this month.

The 6ft 7in power forward is getting more minutes and can expect to be on court more than off it to try to disrupt the Bucks' big men.

He played 29 and 27 minutes against Boston and Brooklyn at the start of this road trip because of injuries in the team. He's -135 to bring down over 6.5 rebounds and that looks a good thing.

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks odds

LA Lakers	+210 ML
MIL Bucks	-260 ML
Spread	MIL - 6.5
Total Points	O/U 225.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks player props

Player Points

Luka Doncic (LA Lakers)	O/U 31.5
Austin Reaves (LA Lakers)	O/U 23.5
Jarred Vanderbilt (LA Lakers)	O/U 7.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL Bucks)	O/U 29.5
Damian Lillard (MIL Bucks)	O/U 24.5
Brook Lopez (MIL Bucks)	O/U 11.5

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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.