The NBA’s top shooting defense will be a 13-point favorite at home in Fiserv Forum, when the Milwaukee Bucks (52-18) clash with the Los Angeles Lakers (31-39). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 236.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds
In their last game, the Bucks (6-point favorites) were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers, 130-125, while the Lakers (4.5-point favorites) fell to the New York Knicks, 124-123. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Milwaukee game went 25 points over the projected point total of 230, while the Los Angeles game finished 26 points over the projected point total of 221.
Los Angeles forced New York into a turnover percentage of 20.6 (above their season average of 11.7) while Milwaukee had a better turnover percentage (8.5 vs. 10.3). Giannis Antetokounmpo had a solid performance for Milwaukee with 52 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. LeBron James, meanwhile played well for Los Angeles, recording 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Eric Bledsoe led the Bucks to a 131-120 win. He recorded 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Milwaukee covered as a 5.5-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 251 points, which was over the projected point total of 239.5. The Bucks’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Lakers. Milwaukee had a rate of 25.6, while Los Angeles posted a mark of 16.7.
Of the Lakers’ 70 games, 41 have finished under the projected point total. Los Angeles holds records of 31-39 straight up (SU) and 26-42-2 against the spread (ATS).
Bucks games also have gone under the total 51.4 percent of the time. Additionally, Milwaukee is 52-18 SU and 41-27-2 ATS.
The productive offense of Milwaukee will go head-to-head against the mid-tier defense of Los Angeles. The Bucks currently rank third in offensive efficiency, while the Lakers are 17th in defensive efficiency. The Bucks should have the advantage on that end of the court. Moreover, the Lakers, who rank 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (21.6 percent), might struggle to get put-back points against the Bucks, who rank second in defensive rebounding percentage (80.3 percent).
Lakers vs. Bucks Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bucks rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (12.0) while the Lakers rank 20th (13.8).
- Milwaukee ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (18.2).
- The Bucks rank second in steals allowed per game (6.9) while the Lakers rank 25th (8.3).
- Milwaukee ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (38.1) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (33.3).
- Milwaukee ranks second in blocks per game (6.0) while Los Angeles ranks 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
- The Bucks average 49.3 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the league. The Lakers rank 27th in rebounds allowed per game (47.0).
- The Bucks rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.4) while the Lakers rank 21st (50.5).
- Milwaukee ranks seventh in assists per game (26.0) while Los Angeles ranks 21st in assists allowed per game (24.9).
- Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.4) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (15.2).
- Milwaukee is 18-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 7-0.
- The Lakers are 30-30 when they score more than 100 points, while the Bucks are 51-14.
- Los Angeles is 15-21 ATS on the road, while Milwaukee is 19-14 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 17 of the Bucks’ 33 home games, while 18 of the Lakers’ 36 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bucks are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Milwaukee has 4 overs and 1 under, while Los Angeles has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 122.6 points per game (4.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.2 points per game (6.6 above their season average).
- The Lakers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 2.1 for the season.
