The shorthanded Lakers limp into Fiserv Forum tonight to take on a Bucks team that’s dropped three straight. With LeBron James on the sideline and Luka Doncic banged up, will the Lakers have enough firepower to hang with Milwaukee on the road?
My Lakers vs. Bucks predictions expect the Bucks to get back on track with a big home victory. Read my NBA picks to see why you should lay the points with Milwaukee.
Lakers vs Bucks prediction
My best bet: Bucks -6 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
NBA fans surely had this matchup circled on their calendars. A primetime affair featuring LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard? Get the popcorn ready! Unfortunately, we’ll have to pump the breaks a bit. With James out and Doncic questionable, this game could turn ugly quickly for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers’ eight-game winning streak was snapped with a loss to the Celtics, and James injured his groin in that one. With James sidelined, the Lakers dropped a second straight game on Monday to the Nets at Barclays Center. L.A. gets a third straight road game on Thursday before heading to Denver to face the Nuggets for the second leg of a back-to-back set on Friday.
Doncic is questionable with an ankle injury, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he sat out one or both of the Lakers’ next two games on the back-to-back. The four-game road trip concludes Friday, and the Lakers will be back home Sunday to host the Suns.
If Doncic sits on Thursday and Friday, he’ll get nearly a week off and, with the Lakers looking ahead for a potentially deep playoff run, that might not be a bad idea.
The Milwaukee Bucks are 16-15-1 ATS at home this season, and the Lakers are 14-16-1 on the road. L.A. has covered in just 11 of 24 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Milwaukee’s current three-game losing streak has been devastating. The Bucks lost a rare home game to the Magic by two points, and Cleveland completed a 4-0 season sweep with a 12-point win. Most heartbreaking, however, was Tuesday’s loss to the rival Pacers.
Up three with under 10 seconds to play, the Bucks gave up an And-1 3-pointer to Tyrese Haliburton, and Milwaukee lost on a four-point play.
If a three-game losing streak wasn’t enough to motivate him, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the one who fouled Haliburton on that 3-pointer. The Greek Freak will surely be fired up for this nationally televised matchup with the Lakers, where he can dominate and get his team back in the win column.
I’m backing the desperate Bucks to take out their frustrations on the shorthanded Lakers at home tonight and cover this modest spread.
Lakers vs Bucks same-game parlay
Bucks -6
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 12.5 rebounds
Austin Reaves Over 10.5 rebounds + assists
The Lakers’ frontcourt depth is non-existent, and Antetokounmpo should have no problem crashing the glass against an undermanned L.A. squad. Giannis’ 12.1 rebounds per game are his most in five seasons, and he’s grabbed at least 13 boards in 22 games this season. He’s averaged 13.1 rebounds across his last nine and hit the Over on this line four times.
Austin Reaves will have to step up as a scorer, playmaker, and rebounder tonight. I’m a bit skeptical of his point total, which is set at 22.5, but I’m thrilled to get his rebounds + assists combo line at just 10.5.
Reaves has averaged 9.7 rebounds + assists in games played with James this season and 16.6 in four games played without him. Reaves hit the Over on this line in all four appearances without James, and I expect him to extend that streak to five tonight.
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Lakers vs Bucks odds
Lakers vs Bucks live odds
Lakers vs Bucks opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +6 (-110) | Milwaukee -6 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +185 | Milwaukee -225
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Los Angeles is 35-27-1 ATS this season.
- Milwaukee is 6-3-1 ATS across its last 10.
- The Lakers have hit the Under in eight of the last 10.
- The Bucks are 32-33 to the Under this season.
Lakers vs Bucks trend
The Bucks are 10-9 ATS when favored by at least six points at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Bucks.
How to watch Lakers vs Bucks
| Location | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date | Thursday, 3-13-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Lakers vs Bucks latest injuries
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