Bucks Battle Lakers Thursday In A Crucial Regular Season Matchup

When it comes to regular season NBA Games, when two genuine NBA Championship contenders go head-to-head, it can be a season-defining game. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks in a clash between two of the firm favorites to be NBA Champions at the end of the season.

With the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis all set to take part, it promises to be a game not just of super teams, but some of the finest talent playing in the NBA at present.

Of course, such a big match up means plenty of interest in the betting in the game. So as well as previewing the game, we are going to bring you the latest odds on it and give you our selections for the markets to back ahead of the big NBA clash.

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The Season So Far For Both Teams

Early season expectation for both these teams was incredibly high, some bookmakers had them ranked as two of the top three teams to win the Championship outright at the season start.

Since then, the Bucks have amassed a 9-5 record where they have been particularly dominant at home (6-1), but struggled more on the road (3-4). They lie second in the Eastern Conference one win behind the 10-6 Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers are currently second in the Western Conference, with the same 11-4 record as their city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers. Their record has been excellent on the road, where they have won all seven games they have contested so far this season. This compares very favourably to a 4-4 record in home games.

Team News For Lakers V Bucks

Most of the injury news surrounding this game is for Lakers players with a number carrying injuries. Definitely out of the game are Kostas Antetokounmpo and Jared Dudley. The former will be especially disappointed to miss out playing against his brother Giannis once again.

LeBron James is rated as questionable with a left ankle sprain, while Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wes Matthews are all probable for the game with a variety of niggles.

“Nice and Edgy”

Following their loss to Golden State on Monday, Lakers Coach Frank Vogel spoke about how he thinks his team will be more than ready for this key game:

“I don’t think it’s ever good to lose a game that you should win with a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.”

 

“If you’re looking at a silver lining, it’ll make us edge going into that Milwaukee game, maybe there’s something there, but I think when you’re playing against the best teams in the league, you’re going to play edgy anyway.”

What Are The Odds?

A quick look at the odds for the Bucks V Lakers clash on Friday reveals that the Lakers are the slight favourites to win. LeBron and co are rated at 5/6 by BetMGM to win the game on the Money Line.

The Milwaukee Bucks though are certainly not the massive underdogs as they are offered at even money.

There are also some interesting options available in the Player Props with Lakers Anthony Davis, and LeBron James, plus the Bucks Jrue Holiday and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antekounmpo of the biggest stars, all likely to have key roles in the game.

What Are Our Tips For Bucks V Lakers Clash?

With their advantage when it comes to shooting three, plus the fact that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are such a nightmare to defend, even for top defences, I am tempted to go for the Lakers here. Add to that their form on the road is a perfect 7-0 so far this season (compared to 4-4 at home) and I think the Lakers just shade it.

The top bets we’d consider for this game with BetMGM are as follows:

• Money Line – Lakers to win – 5/6
• Winning Margin – Lakers by 1-5 – 4/1
• Player Props – Anthony Davis to Score Over 23.5 Points – 9/10
• Parlay – Anthony Davis to Score over 25 Points and Lakers Win – 9/4

*Featured Image Courtesy of Keith Allison – CC BY S.A 2.0