Milwaukee Bucks (36-28) vs Los Angeles Lakers (40-23)
Game Info: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Fiserv Forum)
Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 -- Over/Under: 225.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TNT
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks collide at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday night. Here’s a Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction. This article will include a Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers look to have cooled off from their eight-game win streak as they are now hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after falling just short to the lowly Nets in a 111-108 road defeat on Monday. Gabe Vincent led the team in scoring with 24 points on eight of 12 shooting, Luka Doncic racked up a triple-double of 22 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists while Austin Reaves chipped in with 17 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 43 percent from the field and 19 of 40 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates to an early 15-point lead. However, the Lakers allowed the Nets back into the contest which cost them in the fourth quarter where the Lakers went scoreless for a 3:30 stretch to allow the Nets to slip away.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks look to have cooled off a bit recently as they are now hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat after losing to the Pacers in a heartbreaking 115-114 road defeat on Tuesday. Brook Lopez led the team with 23 points on nine of 11 shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 points with 17 rebounds and seven assists while Taurean Prince chipped in with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists. As a team, the Bucks shot 51 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to overcome an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to lead by three points with just 3.2 seconds left on the clock. Antetokounmpo fouled the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, who made the 3-pointer plus the foul to snatch the game away at the death. The Bucks will face the Pacers, Thunder, and Warriors following this one.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Bucks have won 15 of their last 16 home games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five games against Central Division opponents.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 15 road games when playing with a rest advantage.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Bucks have lost three of their last four games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last eight Thursday night games.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers' last six games on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Bucks' last five games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The Lakers are still shorthanded with Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Jaxson Hayes all out while Luka Doncic is listed as questionable, while the Bucks have ruled out Tyler Smith and Chris Livingston for this one. This is definitely one of those games where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over the Lakers. With that being said, the Bucks are relatively healthy and they must be so eager to wash out the bitter taste of Tuesday's defeat with a win over the shorthanded Lakers at home. The line is modest for this one, so I am happy going with the Bucks to bounce back with a win against a banged-up Lakers squad.
Peter’s Pick Milwaukee -5.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
