Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction 03/01/19

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The Los Angeles Lakers (30-31), 4.5-point underdogs, will have their hands full against the league’s top shooting defense when they meet the Milwaukee Bucks (47-14) at Staples Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 236.5 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Lakers (6.5-point favorites) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-119, while the Bucks (6-point favorites) won a close one over the Sacramento Kings 141-140. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Los Angeles game went 4 points over the projected point total of 240, while the Milwaukee game went 41 points over the projected point total of 240.

Milwaukee’s 0.558 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Sacramento, who had a mark of 0.500. The Bucks’ mark was above their season average of 0.552. The Lakers, on the other hand, had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 6.9 (better than their season average of 13.4) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.564 (above their season average of 0.531). LeBron James had a good outing for Los Angeles with 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Eric Bledsoe played an enormous role in the victory for Milwaukee, accumulating 26 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds on his way to his zeroth triple-double of the season.

The Bucks dominated this series last year, winning both contests. In the last contest, Milwaukee won 124-122. The Bucks’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Lakers. Milwaukee had a rate of 10.1, while Los Angeles posted a mark of 14.6. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Bucks games, with 33 unders compared to 28 overs. Milwaukee holds records of 47-14 straight up (SU) and 35-24-2 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas tends to set the total high when the Lakers are involved, as 59.0 percent of their games have gone under the O/U total. Additionally, Los Angeles owns records of 30-31 SU and 25-34-2 ATS.

Los Angeles might have a difficult time finding the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Milwaukee currently ranks first in defensive efficiency while the Lakers rank 21st in offensive efficiency.

Bucks vs. Lakers Pick

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

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks rank second in blocks per game (6.1) while the Lakers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
  • Milwaukee ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (18.5).
  • The Bucks rank second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Lakers rank 25th (8.5).
  • Milwaukee ranks first in points allowed in the paint per game (41.5) while Los Angeles ranks 24th (51.0).
  • Milwaukee ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.4) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (13.9).
  • The Bucks rank first in rebounds per game (49.0) while the Lakers rank 27th in rebounds allowed per game (46.9).
  • The Bucks rank second in three pointers attempted per game (37.9) while the Lakers rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (33.1).
  • Milwaukee ranks sixth in assists per game (26.3) while Los Angeles ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
  • Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (9.9) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (15.2).
  • In games where they allow less than 100 points, Los Angeles is 7-0 and Milwaukee is 16-1.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Lakers are 29-25 and the Bucks are 46-10.
  • Milwaukee is 18-11-2 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 11-17-2 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone under in 18 of the Bucks’ 31 road games, while 21 of the Lakers’ 30 home games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Milwaukee and Los Angeles have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Bucks are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 1-4.
  • During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 120.4 points per game (3.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.6 points per game (5.8 above their season average).
  • The Lakers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, up from 1.2 for the season.