Both teams are in first place in their respective conferences and both teams are favored to advance to the finals, according to the odds.
The two teams have already squared off once this season when the Bucks hosted, and they edged the Lakers 111-104 in that contest back on December 19th. Can they earn the season sweep and send a message to the Lakers?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bucks are an incredible 53-9 on the season and are 36-26 against the spread. They’re 14-8 against teams with a winning record but are just 11-11 ATS in those contests. They’re a perfect 7-0 against Pacific Division opponents, including 5-2 ATS.
The Lakers are 47-13 on the year and are 33-26 ATS. They are 14-4 when at home with a total of 220 or higher and 11-6 ATS. They are 16-9 against teams with a winning record, covering the spread in 14 of those contests.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks lost in Miami on Monday but quickly bounced back on Wednesday with a 119-100 win over Indiana. That maintains their perfect streak so far this season of never having lost back-to-back games. Monday’s effort was shaky – and possibly a sign of things to come – as they were outscored badly from three. Miami scored 54 points from beyond the arc while the Bucks had just 21. We know that the Bucks are generally a solid defensive team as they give up the second-fewest points per game but a lot of that is because of the muscle they have in the paint. At the three-point line, it’s another story.
The Bucks are ranked 17th in the NBA in terms of opponent three-point field goal percentage (35.6%), which is not very good. If the playoffs started today, that would be the third-worst mark among the 16 playoff contestants. The good news is the Lakers aren’t great from three as they’re just 14th in three-point field goal percentage. That should help the Bucks big-time on Friday.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are on a roll right now as they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games. They’ve been running through teams two as they haven’t played many close contests. They won by two over the Boston Celtics last Sunday but outside of that, each of last six wins have come by eight or more.
The story of this matchup is quite simply as the Lakers have two superstars and a shaky cast, while the Bucks have just one superstar and a much better supporting cast. Anthony Davis and LeBron James had 57 points in the first meeting and Danny Green had 21, hitting seven-of-12 from three-point range. The rest of the team had a total of 26 points while shooting 39% from the field. The Lakers need more from the bench guys as the entire unit contributed just four points in the first matchup.
Who Will Win Bucks vs. Lakers?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Sat | Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies. |
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| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | Prob Thurs | Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
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| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
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| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 | 6-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday. |
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| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-9 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger. |
|||||
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Sat | Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 | 2-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sat | Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 | 2-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Thurs | Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness. |
|||||
| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Thurs | Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 | 2-6 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. |
|||||
| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 19 / 09 / 20 | 4-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
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Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20Brook Lopez (C)
Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20Danny Green (SG)
Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20Rajon Rondo (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 3-3 4-3 + - Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-5 + - Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 6-9 9-7 + - Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 7-9 10-7 + - Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Finger - 11 / 10 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Green is dealing with soreness in his left ring finger but is anticipated to face the Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Finger - 05 / 10 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Green is tending to a volar plate injury in his left ring finger but is projected to suit up against the Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sun Hip - 03 / 10 / 20 1-4 2-3 + - Green is bothered by tightness in his hip and a volar plate injury in his left ring finger. He is likely to suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Wed Wrist - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore right wrist.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 29 / 09 / 20 2-4 3-3 + - Green is projected to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a volar plate injury to his left ring finger.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Sat Finger - 26 / 09 / 20 2-4 4-3 + - Green is managing a hyperextended left ring finger, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sat Wrist - 25 / 09 / 20 2-5 5-3 + - Caruso is battling a sore right wrist, but is likely to be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Thurs Wrist - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Caruso is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals despite right wrist soreness.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Thurs Finger - 23 / 09 / 20 2-6 5-4 + - Green is battling a volar plate injury in his left finger but is likely to take on the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Prob Sun Back - 19 / 09 / 20 4-6 6-5 + - Rondo has been dealing with back spasms, but he is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference final against the Nuggets.