The Milwaukee Bucks are on a roll now, having won nine straight. Can the Los Angeles Clippers halt their momentum on Friday night?
Don’t look now, but Milwaukee is starting to play as they did two years ago when they stomped their way to a championship. For its part, L.A. continues to struggle with consistency, as they fell to Dallas at home on Wednesday.
As it stands, the Clippers are graced with a -2.5 favourites status on the NBA odds. The over-under is tabulated at 226.
Bucks vs. Clippers NBA Betting Odds
Even though Milwaukee and the Clippers don’t meet, these iterations know each other rather well. They played just last week on Feb. 2 in Wisconsin. It was a doozy of a battle, going down to the wire, with the hosts earning a narrow 106-105 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo went ballistic, scoring 54 points and corralling 19 rebounds. He only mustered two assists, but given the other stats and the win, nobody minded.
Mike Budenholzer’s ensemble is cruising. Winners of nine straight, their momentum puts them in position to overtake Boston for the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. What’s even more frightening is that, apart from the Clippers contest, they’ve steamrolled a lot of opponents. Not all were top-tier opposition, to be fair, but good teams know how to take care of business. Funnily enough, the spreads have been so wide recently that the Bucks are only 6-4 ATS in the last 10.
Tyronn Lue’s Clippers seem to have gathered some steam, if not as emphatically as Milwaukee. 7-3 in the last 10 games, the team recently completed a successful road trip, going 3-1 – the only defeat being that Bucks tilt. They’re also 7-3 in their previous 10 opportunities with respect to the spread, with the majority of their outright wins and losses correlating with covers or failures to do so.
Milwaukee Bucks
Sometimes great teams take their foot off the pedal for games that should be a breeze. Such was the case when Milwaukee entered Crytpo.com Arena on Thursday for a date with the Lakers. The latter had just sent some pieces to other teams and were resting LeBron James.
Even so, the hosts took the initiative for most of the game. The purple and gold even led well into the third frame until Milwaukee found its groove. Khris Middleton’s return from extended injury has provided the squad with the stability it lacked earlier in the campaign. Some of the buckets he scored along the baseline and in the paint were brilliant. He’s still coming off the bench, but the performances are improving each night (22 points). Giannis was a monster, tallying 38 points and an astonishing 19 rebounds. Some of his drives to the basket for dunks made it look like it was boys versus men. Although it took a while, the Bucks finally emerged with a 115-106 win.
Los Angeles Clippers
L.A. got to see the new-look Dallas Mavericks up close and personal on Wednesday night. What otherwise would have been a favourable matchup – what with Luka Doncic sideline – turned out to be a tussle with new weapon Kyrie Irving.
It seemed to catch the hosts off-guard in the opening quarter. Either that or they simply didn’t come prepared to play. Slow and sluggish, the Clippers trailed 41-25 as the sides began the second period. The rest of the evening was a better display of resolve and moxie. L.A. closed to gap to as little as three points in the third quarter, but the visitors were always a step or two ahead. Norman Powell led the Clippers in scoring with 24. Kawhi Leonard was somewhat quiet (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), and Paul George was more a liability than anything else, finishing with a -12-point differential when on the court. The Mavericks win, 110-104.
Kawhi Leonard is listed as Out.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Clippers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 8 Feb 2:21pm | MIL | -12.5 -114 | U +155.5 -147 |
| Closing 11 Feb 3:41am | MIL | -2 -119 | O +228.5 -113 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
31.1 |
| Assists |
7.39 |
| Rebounds |
11.78 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.18 |
| Blocks |
2.47 |
| Points |
23.83 |
| Assists |
7.62 |
| Rebounds |
9.95 |
| FG% |
72.7 |
| Steals |
1.48 |
| Blocks |
1.29 |
| Points |
23.8 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.8 |
| Points |
34.5 |
| Assists |
7.4 |
| Rebounds |
9.6 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
2 |
| Blocks |
1.4 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Clippers Team Leaders
| Points |
31.1 |
| Assists |
7.39 |
| Rebounds |
11.78 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.18 |
| Blocks |
2.47 |
| Points |
23.83 |
| Assists |
7.62 |
| Rebounds |
9.95 |
| FG% |
72.7 |
| Steals |
1.48 |
| Blocks |
1.29 |
| Points |
23.8 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.4 |
| Blocks |
1.8 |
| Points |
34.5 |
| Assists |
7.4 |
| Rebounds |
9.6 |
| FG% |
87.5 |
| Steals |
2 |
| Blocks |
1.4 |
Injuries
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
AJ Green (PG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Pat Connaughton (SG)
Grayson Allen (SG)
Jevon Carter (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Grayson Allen (SG)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Brandon Boston Jr. (PG)
Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Norman Powell (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Prob Wed | Calf - 18 / 04 / 23 | 1-3 | 4-0 | + - |
|
Matthews is dealing with a right calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 | 1-5 | 6-0 | + - |
|
Lopez will be out of the lineup Sunday against the Raptors as he is taking a rest day. |
|||||
| AJ Green (PG) | Ques Wed | Foot - 07 / 04 / 23 | 2-5 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Green is tending to right foot soreness, and it is uncertain if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Fri | Rest - 06 / 04 / 23 | 2-5 | 6-1 | + - |
|
Lopez was not be active for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Pat Connaughton (SG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Connaughton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Grayson Allen (SG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Allen is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Heat. |
|||||
| Jevon Carter (PG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 03 / 04 / 23 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Carter missed the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is expected that he will line up for Wednesday's clash versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 03 / 04 / 23 | 3-6 | 7-2 | + - |
|
Middleton is limited due to right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Heat for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Grayson Allen (SG) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23 | 3-7 | 8-2 | + - |
|
Allen exited the previous contest with a right ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Wizards in Tuesday's clash. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Elig Tues | Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23 | 3-7 | 8-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is going through a one-game suspension for an on-court incident, and he will be eligible to return against the Wizards on Tuesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard (SF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 20 / 04 / 23 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Leonard is sidelined with a right knee sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Eric Gordon (SG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 07 / 04 / 23 | 3-4 | 5-1-1 | + - |
|
Gordon is projected to take on the Trail Blazers on Saturday despite a hip injury. |
|||||
| Eric Gordon (SG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 31 / 03 / 23 | 4-6 | 7-2-1 | + - |
|
Gordon missed the previous contest due to right hip soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Lakers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Kawhi Leonard (SF) | Ques Fri | Personal - 29 / 03 / 23 | 5-6 | 8-2-1 | + - |
|
Leonard missed the last game due to a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will be active for Friday's clash versus the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 27 / 03 / 23 | 5-7 | 9-2-1 | + - |
|
Morris is dealing with back spasms, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kawhi Leonard (SF) | Prob Mon | Face - 26 / 03 / 23 | 6-7 | 10-2-1 | + - |
|
Leonard exited the previous contest with a facial contusion, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Bulls on Monday. |
|||||
| Kawhi Leonard (SF) | Prob Sun | Knee - 17 / 03 / 23 | 8-9 | 11-5-1 | + - |
|
Leonard sat out the last contest due to a right knee injury, but it is projected that he will be active for Sunday's battle with the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Brandon Boston Jr. (PG) | Prob Sat | Tailbone - 08 / 03 / 23 | 10-10 | 12-7-1 | + - |
|
Boston Jr. has been idle with a tailbone contusion, but he is expected to return to the court Saturday versus the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Kawhi Leonard (SF) | Out Fri | Rest - 03 / 03 / 23 | 11-12 | 13-9-1 | + - |
|
Leonard will not participate in Friday's contest versus the Kings as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Wed | Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 23 | 11-12 | 13-9-1 | + - |
|
Powell has been sidelined with a left shoulder subluxation, but it is likely that he will take the court Wednesday against the Grizzlies. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 8 Feb 2:21pm MIL -12.5 -114 U +155.5 -147 Closing 11 Feb 3:41am MIL -2 -119 O +228.5 -113 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 31.1
Assists 7.39
Rebounds 11.78
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.18
Blocks 2.47
Points 23.83
Assists 7.62
Rebounds 9.95
FG% 72.7
Steals 1.48
Blocks 1.29
Points 23.8
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.8
Points 34.5
Assists 7.4
Rebounds 9.6
FG% 87.5
Steals 2
Blocks 1.4
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Clippers Team Leaders
Points 31.1
Assists 7.39
Rebounds 11.78
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.18
Blocks 2.47
Points 23.83
Assists 7.62
Rebounds 9.95
FG% 72.7
Steals 1.48
Blocks 1.29
Points 23.8
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.4
Blocks 1.8
Points 34.5
Assists 7.4
Rebounds 9.6
FG% 87.5
Steals 2
Blocks 1.4
-
Injuries
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Prob Wed Calf - 18 / 04 / 23Brook Lopez (C)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23AJ Green (PG)
Ques Wed Foot - 07 / 04 / 23Brook Lopez (C)
Out Fri Rest - 06 / 04 / 23Pat Connaughton (SG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23Grayson Allen (SG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23Jevon Carter (PG)
Prob Wed Knee - 03 / 04 / 23Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 23Grayson Allen (SG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Elig Tues Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 20 / 04 / 23Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 07 / 04 / 23Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Wed Hip - 31 / 03 / 23Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Ques Fri Personal - 29 / 03 / 23Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 27 / 03 / 23Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Prob Mon Face - 26 / 03 / 23Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Prob Sun Knee - 17 / 03 / 23Brandon Boston Jr. (PG)
Prob Sat Tailbone - 08 / 03 / 23Kawhi Leonard (SF)
Out Fri Rest - 03 / 03 / 23Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Wed Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 23Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Wesley Matthews (SG) Prob Wed Calf - 18 / 04 / 23 1-3 4-0 + - Matthews is dealing with a right calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23 1-5 6-0 + - Lopez will be out of the lineup Sunday against the Raptors as he is taking a rest day.
AJ Green (PG) Ques Wed Foot - 07 / 04 / 23 2-5 6-1 + - Green is tending to right foot soreness, and it is uncertain if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Fri Rest - 06 / 04 / 23 2-5 6-1 + - Lopez was not be active for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies as he will receive a day of rest.
Pat Connaughton (SG) Prob Sun Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23 3-6 7-2 + - Connaughton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG) Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23 3-6 7-2 + - Allen is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Heat.
Jevon Carter (PG) Prob Wed Knee - 03 / 04 / 23 3-6 7-2 + - Carter missed the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is expected that he will line up for Wednesday's clash versus the Bulls.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 23 3-6 7-2 + - Middleton is limited due to right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Heat for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG) Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23 3-7 8-2 + - Allen exited the previous contest with a right ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Wizards in Tuesday's clash.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Elig Tues Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23 3-7 8-2 + - Antetokounmpo is going through a one-game suspension for an on-court incident, and he will be eligible to return against the Wizards on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kawhi Leonard (SF) Out indefinitely Knee - 20 / 04 / 23 1-2 2-1 + - Leonard is sidelined with a right knee sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Eric Gordon (SG) Prob Sat Hip - 07 / 04 / 23 3-4 5-1-1 + - Gordon is projected to take on the Trail Blazers on Saturday despite a hip injury.
Eric Gordon (SG) Prob Wed Hip - 31 / 03 / 23 4-6 7-2-1 + - Gordon missed the previous contest due to right hip soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Lakers on Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard (SF) Ques Fri Personal - 29 / 03 / 23 5-6 8-2-1 + - Leonard missed the last game due to a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will be active for Friday's clash versus the Grizzlies.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF) Prob Sun Back - 27 / 03 / 23 5-7 9-2-1 + - Morris is dealing with back spasms, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Kawhi Leonard (SF) Prob Mon Face - 26 / 03 / 23 6-7 10-2-1 + - Leonard exited the previous contest with a facial contusion, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Bulls on Monday.
Kawhi Leonard (SF) Prob Sun Knee - 17 / 03 / 23 8-9 11-5-1 + - Leonard sat out the last contest due to a right knee injury, but it is projected that he will be active for Sunday's battle with the Trail Blazers.
Brandon Boston Jr. (PG) Prob Sat Tailbone - 08 / 03 / 23 10-10 12-7-1 + - Boston Jr. has been idle with a tailbone contusion, but he is expected to return to the court Saturday versus the Pelicans.
Kawhi Leonard (SF) Out Fri Rest - 03 / 03 / 23 11-12 13-9-1 + - Leonard will not participate in Friday's contest versus the Kings as he will be given a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Wed Shoulder - 03 / 03 / 23 11-12 13-9-1 + - Powell has been sidelined with a left shoulder subluxation, but it is likely that he will take the court Wednesday against the Grizzlies.