Date/Time: 19-12-2019, 20:00 EDT / 01:00 GMT
Spread: Milwaukee Bucks -4.5
Total: +226.5
The matchup that the whole world has been waiting for takes place tonight at the Fiserv Forum of Milwaukee, when the best in the East Bucks are hosting the best in the West Los Angeles Lakers, with both teams also being tied on top of the NBA with a 24-4 record. This will also be a battle between three of the best players in the league, when the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo will be up against LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Bucks are 24-4 so far in the league and sit on top of the Eastern Conference. In their previous matchup, they were defeated at home by Dallas, without Doncic, by 4 points, thus ending their previous eighteen-win streak. The Lakers are also 24-4 and sit on top of the Western Conference. In their previous matchup, they were defeated on the road by Indiana by 3 points, thus ending their previous 7-win streak.
Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks both in scoring, with 31.7 ppg (second-best in the league), and in rebounding, with 12.8 per game. He also adds 5.3 assists per game. Davis leads the Lakers both in scoring, with 27.4 ppg, and in rebounding, with 9.3 per game. James follows with 25.9 ppg, adding 7.4 rebounds and dishing a league-best 10.6 assists per game.
Milwaukee led LA 3-0 wins last year and they have a 13-2 home record this season, while LA has a 14-2 road record. Milwaukee currently leads the league in points per game (121 to LA’s 112.9), in rebounding (51.3 to LA’s 45.8) and in FG percentage, shooting with 48.5% while LA is closely second with 48.4%. LA, on the other hand, has a better defense, allowing 103.9 ppg to Milwaukee’s 108.1 and they dish more assists (26.3 to 25.9). Milwaukee commits fewer turnovers per game (14.6 to 15.2) and grabs more rebounds (51.3 to 45.8), while both teams have similar accuracy from behind the arc (35.8% to 35.4%). Milwaukee are the favorite in this game with -4.5 and it looks like they will utilize the home court advantage and get away with the win today.
Lakers vs Bucks Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks -4.5 (-113)
