Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The NBA’s top scoring team will be a 10.5-point favorite on the road at Quicken Loans Arena, when the Milwaukee Bucks (18-9) square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (7-21). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 218.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

The last time the Cavaliers played, they defeated the New York Knicks, 113-106, as 1.5-point underdogs. The Bucks, meanwhile, were defeated by the Indiana Pacers, 113-97, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. The Cleveland game finished 3.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Milwaukee game finished 8.5 points under the projected point total of 218.5.

Cleveland played a flawless game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.1 (below their season average of 26.2) and a free throw rate of 0.187 (matching their season average). New York was 18.8 and 0.138, respectively, for those same stats. Milwaukee, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 13.8). Jordan Clarkson played well for Cleveland, recording 28 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Milwaukee was lifted by Eric Bledsoe, who contributed 26 points and six assists.

In their first matchup this year, Bledsoe led the Bucks to a 108-92 win. He registered a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Milwaukee covered as a 10-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 200 points, which was well under the projected point total of 217. The Bucks’ 24.0 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Cavaliers, who had a rate of 14.8.

Of the Bucks’ 27 games, 15 have finished over the total. Milwaukee heads into the game with records of 18-9 straight up (SU) and 14-13 against the spread (ATS).

In opposition of Milwaukee, Cavaliers games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (53.6 percent). Additionally, Cleveland owns records of 7-21 SU and 14-14 ATS.

Collin Sexton and Larry Nance Jr. have been playing well over the last five games for Cleveland. Sexton has averaged 21 points, while Nance Jr. has put up 12 points,7.2 rebounds a game during that span.

The inefficient offense of Cleveland (22nd in the league with an offensive efficiency of 105.4) will go head-to-head against the top-notch defense of Milwaukee (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 103.1). The Bucks figure to have the edge on that end of the court. It will also be a battle of opposite styles as the fast-paced Bucks rank fourth in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Cavaliers rank 30th.

Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks rank 2 in second chance points allowed per game (11) while the Cavaliers rank 12 (12.75).
  • Milwaukee ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (40.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (24.6).
  • The Bucks rank third in points in the paint per game (54.7) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (42.5).
  • Milwaukee ranks seventh in fast break points per game (15.9) while Cleveland ranks 28th (9.9).
  • Milwaukee ranks 14 in points off turnovers per game (17.185185185185187) while Cleveland ranks 29 (13.928571428571429).
  • The Bucks rank fifth in assists per game (26.3) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (19.5).
  • The Bucks rank 1 in rebounds per game (50.25925925925926) while the Cavaliers rank 19 (44.035714285714285).
  • Milwaukee ranks 19 in steals per game (7.185185185185185) while Cleveland ranks 26 (6.678571428571429).
  • Milwaukee ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.7) while Cleveland ranks last (2.4).
  • When allowing below 100 points, Milwaukee is 6-0 and Cleveland is 2-2.
  • The Cavaliers are 6-10 when they score more than 100 points, while the Bucks are 18-7.
  • Milwaukee is 4-7 ATS on the road, while Cleveland is 7-8 ATS at home.
  • In 11 road games, the Bucks have 6 overs and 5 unders.
  • The Cavaliers have 8 overs and 7 unders in 15 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Bucks are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Milwaukee has 5 unders, while Cleveland has 4 overs and 1 under.
  • The Bucks\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.6, down from 8.9 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (3.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.6 points per game (3.4 above their season average).