Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to maintain momentum from their NBA Cup title when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Milwaukee went to Las Vegas this past week and captured the cup, beating the Atlanta Hawks in the semis and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final.

There is no rest for the weary, though, as the Bucks now have to face one of the best teams in the NBA. Cleveland is 23-4, putting it atop the standings in the entire NBA.
 
With the Bucks vs. Cavaliers starting at 7:30 PM ET, let’s take a look at the odds and best bets to make.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers betting picks and predictions 

Milwaukee Bucks +8.0 (-110)

Things have completely turned around for the Bucks, who endured a disappointing 2023/24 campaign and then began this season with a 2-8 record through 10 games.

They are 13-3 in their last 16, a stretch that is highlighted by their NBA Cup triumph on Tuesday. Since November 16 - yes, more than a month ago - the only teams they have lost to are the Hawks and the Boston Celtics.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored at least 30 points in 10 of his last 12 games and was one assist short of recording back-to-back triple-doubles in the two Las Vegas cup games - he had 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals in the final against Oklahoma City.

While Giannis is expected to suit up on Friday, Damian Lillard (calf) is out. That certainly isn’t great news for Milwaukee, but at the same time, it’s why you can get eight points with the visitors.

It should also make Giannis even more motivated to turn in another MVP-level performance - something he has been doing on a consistent basis over the past month.

As for the Cavaliers, they have cooled off a bit since their 15-0 surge out of the gates. They are a more modest 8-4 in their last 12 outings - still a fine record, but they are no longer are they playing completely dominant basketball.

Donovan Mitchell has struggled considerably in December. The star guard is averaging just 21.4 points in seven games this month and he has gone nine consecutive contests without making more than 50 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Cleveland is dealing with some injury issues of its own, too, as Max Strus (ankle) is questionable and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) is out.

All things considered, eight points should be enough for the Bucks to cover.

Under 225.0 Total Points (-110) 

An Under bet correlates nicely with Bucks +8.0, as they may not be able to keep up with the Cavaliers in an offensive shootout since Lillard won’t be on the floor.

After all, Lillard is averaging 25.7 points per game and Milwaukee probably won’t get enough out of Khris Middleton to make up for Lillard’s absence. Since returning from an injury, Middleton is scoring a mere 7.0 points in four contests.
 
Fortunately for head coach Doc Rivers’ squad, it is playing solid defense. It has allowed 113 points or fewer in five straight games and in the last two NBA Cup outings held the Hawks and Thunder to 102 and 81 points respectively.

Plus, Giannis has blocked 14 shots in the last four games.

Meanwhile, Cleveland ranks a respectable 11th in the NBA in scoring defense at 110.9 ppg allowed. In their two most recent appearances, the Cavs limited the Washington Wizards to 105 points and the Brooklyn Nets to 101.

Although this may not have the intensity of the NBA Cup knockout rounds, it’s still a matchup between two of the NBA’s best teams - one that is worthy of a playoff-caliber defensive effort.

That is another reason why backing the Under looks like the best idea.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers betting odds

Milwaukee Bucks	+265 ML
Cleveland Cavaliers	-330 ML
Spread	CLE Cavaliers -8.0
Total Points	O/U 225.0

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers player props

Player Points

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL Bucks)	O/U 28.5
Bobby Portis (MIL Bucks)	O/U 12.5
Brook Lopez (MIL Bucks)	O/U 11.5
Donovan Mitchell (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 23.5
Darius Garland (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 20.5
Evan Mobley (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 16.5

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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.