Will the Milwaukee Bucks have an NBA Cup hangover? No one would blame them, even if they did make a bit of a show by barely celebrating their win over Oklahoma City.
The Cleveland Cavaliers sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, without a doubt a stout enough team to take advantage of someone else’s hangover.
My Bucks vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks will target one specific letdown possibility before tip at 7:40 pm ET on Friday, December 20.
Bucks vs Cavaliers prediction
My best bet
Giannis Antetokounmpo Under 31.5 points (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
By no means should Giannis Antetokounmpo ever be doubted. Even if the Milwaukee Bucks' struggles over the last couple of seasons have led many to overlook him, Giannis remains one of the NBA’s five best players.
But just three days after a title-winning triple-double (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists), easing off the gas pedal for tonight's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers would make sense. This can be that simple.
And to anyone who wants to dismiss winning the NBA Cup, reconsider that thought. Giannis was visibly overjoyed while celebrating with his brother Thanasis. He knew he had just won his teammates more than half a million dollars each. Maybe Giannis and Damian Lillard no longer notice that money, but the rest of the Milwaukee roster enjoyed it.
The Bucks’ coaching staff made a show of leaving the champagne unopened after the victory, but it would be only human nature to relax afterward.
Furthermore, Giannis has fallen short of this prop in 11 of 23 games this season. Just about any amount of a natural letdown would be enough to skew this toward a likelihood. Make that 12 of 24 contests, because that NBA Cup final does not factor into any regular-season stats pages, but it feels rather applicable to this conversation.
Bucks vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Giannis Antetokounmpo Under 31.5 points
Under 221
Cavaliers moneyline
Quite obviously, every step of this same-game parlay is correlated and based on Milwaukee lacking some intensity tonight. And to again state a defense, this will be an understandable letdown moment.
But the overlooked aspect of this game is that Cleveland has had some rest. A four-day break during the NBA season was unheard of before the NBA Cup became a reality.
Rest will only help the No. 7 defensive rating across the last month, certainly against a team with a presumed hangover.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Bucks vs Cavaliers odds
Bucks vs Cavaliers live odds
Bucks vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Milwaukee +8 | Cleveland -8
- Moneyline: Milwaukee +270 | Cleveland -340
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Bucks vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with Cleveland favored by eight points on Thursday evening and rose to -9 early on Friday.
- The total opened at 224.5 and gave a head fake to 225 before plummeting overnight.
- Midday Friday, the total continued to fall, down to 221 after sitting at 223.5 at sunrise.
Bucks vs Cavaliers trend
Milwaukee has hit the game total Under in 48 of its last 83 games (+9.50 Units / 10% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Bucks vs Cavaliers
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Date: | Friday, 12-20-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Bucks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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