Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction NBA Picks 12/20/24

Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) vs Milwaukee Bucks (15-11)

December 20, 2024 at 07:30 PM EST

The Line: Betting Odds: Cleveland Cavaliers -7.5 — Over/Under: 230

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Here’s a Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have been on fire as they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current four-game win streak after routing the Thunder in a 97-81 win in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with a triple-double of 26 points with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points while Brook Lopez chipped in with 13 points, nine rebounds, and one block. As a team, the Bucks shot just 42 percent from the field and 17 of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to gain any separation in the early going before they took over with their defense and held the Thunder to just 31 points in the second half to make it look easy in the end.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after making light work of the Nets in a 130-101 road win on Monday. Evan Mobley led the team with 21 points on seven of nine shooting, Caris LeVert added 19 points off the bench while Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 18 points and five assists. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 53 percent from the field and 19 of 47 from the 3-point line as they dominated from the opening tip and never looked in danger after outscoring the Nets by 72-40 in the first half. A total of seven players finished in double figures in scoring and the Cavaliers were able to rest their starters early. The Cavs will take on the 76ers after this game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

The Cavaliers have won each of their last eight games against Central Division opponents.
The Bucks have lost each of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last six home games against teams that held a winning record.

Total Points Facts

Each of the Bucks’ last seven games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
Each of the Cavaliers’ last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.