Lakers and Bucks Clash Amid Losing Streaks: A Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road aiming to put an end to their two-game losing streak as they face off against the Milwaukee Bucks this Thursday. Milwaukee boasts a 36-28 record overall and has a home game record of 21-11. Meanwhile, Los Angeles stands at 40-23 overall, with a slightly below par 15-16 record on the road. In their most recent outing, the Lakers fell to the Brooklyn Nets with a narrow 111-108 loss. Similarly, the Bucks, looking to break their own three-game losing streak, are coming off a tight 115-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Key players are in question for both teams: LeBron James (groin) is confirmed out, while Luka Doncic (ankle) remains questionable for the Lakers; Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (groin) are expected to play for Milwaukee.
The game in Milwaukee is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. This match marks the first encounter of the season between the two teams, who are slated to meet again the following Thursday. Last year, Los Angeles swept the two-game series. According to the latest odds from SportsLine consensus, the Bucks are favored by 7 points, following an initial line of Bucks -5. The point total over/under is set at 225. Currently, Milwaukee is -260 on the money line (where you risk $260 to win $100), while Los Angeles is at +211 (risk $100 to win $211). Before deciding on any bets for the Lakers vs. Bucks matchup, it’s advised to consider the NBA predictions and wagering tips from SportsLine’s trusted computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model conducts 10,000 simulations for every NBA game, having generated over $10,000 in betting profits for $100 players on its highest-rated NBA picks across the last six years. As Week 21 of the 2024-25 NBA season unfolds, the model is riding a hot streak with a 148-107 record on all top-rated NBA picks, dating back to last season, which translates to nearly $4,000 in returns. It’s also excelled with a 19-10 (65%) success rate on spread picks this season, offering substantial gains for savvy bettors following via sportsbooks and betting apps.