It can’t be argued that LeBron James has been the best all-around player in the NBA for the past decade plus. A very easy case could be made that title has been taken this season by the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the betting favourite to win his first MVP award. Antetokounmpo’s nickname of the “Greek Freak” is so fitting because the 24-year-old is a 6-foot-11 point guard who can go basket-to-basket in two dribbles. Seriously, he’s done it. The Freak has a wingspan of a pterodactyl. There’s just never been anyone like him. About the only thing he doesn’t do well – yet – is shoot from the perimeter.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers could be on tired legs here as it concludes a winding five-game road trip and is their fifth game in seven days.

Milwaukee goes for the season sweep as it was a 131-120 winner in Los Angeles on March 1. Antetokounmpo had 16 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Eric Bledsoe led the Bucks with 31 points. LeBron had 31 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Brandon Ingram put up 31 points and eight rebounds. He has since been shut down for the season.

The underdog has covered 21 of the past 30 in this series.

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron’s first season as a Laker probably hit rock bottom on Sunday as his team lost at the NBA-worst New York Knicks 124-123. James had the potential game-winning shot blocked by former lottery pick bust Mario Hezonja in the final seconds. James had 33 points but was 4-for-15 in the fourth quarter when the Lakers blew an 11-point lead with just under four minutes remaining.

LeBron also has been drawing some criticism for sitting at the far end of the bench during the first half while his teammates were all huddling up. Kyle Kuzma added 18 points for the Lakers, who have lost three straight and eight of nine. The Lakers are 1-8 ATS in their past nine.

Milwaukee Bucks

One of the most entertaining games of the season if you got a chance to see it was Milwaukee’s 130-125 home loss to Philadelphia on Sunday in a potential playoff preview. The Greek Freak burnished his MVP chances with a career-high 52 points along with 16 rebounds and seven assists.

Philly’s Joel Embiid had 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. It was just the fourth time ever opposing players had at least 40, 15 & 5 in the same game and first since March 1966, when Walt Bellamy and Elgin Baylor did it. The Bucks are without former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, who will miss 6-8 weeks with a heel injury. Milwaukee is 19-7 ATS in its past 26 after a loss.

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Milwaukee

D.J. Wilson (PF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19

D.J. Wilson (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19

Sterling Brown (SG)

Prob Tues Back - 28 / 04 / 19

Pat Connaughton (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Wed Rest - 09 / 04 / 19

Ersan Ilyasova (PF)

Prob Sat Nose - 05 / 04 / 19

Ersan Ilyasova (PF)

Prob Thurs Back - 01 / 04 / 19

Tony Snell (SG)

Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19

George Hill (PG)

Prob Fri Groin - 20 / 03 / 19

Nikola Mirotic (PF)

Prob Sun Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
D.J. Wilson (PF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 19 / 05 / 19	1-3	3-1	+ -
Wilson is battling left ankle soreness but is likely to suit up for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
D.J. Wilson (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 07 / 05 / 19	4-3	3-4	+ -
Wilson has a left ankle sprain but is expected to suit up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Raptors.
Sterling Brown (SG)	Prob Tues	Back - 28 / 04 / 19	7-4	6-5	+ -
Brown is battling back spasms but is likely to be available against the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Pat Connaughton (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19	10-6	9-7	+ -
Connaughton has a left ankle sprain but is likely to play Wednesday against the Thunder.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Wed	Rest - 09 / 04 / 19	10-6	9-7	+ -
Lopez will not be in Wednesday's lineup as he will be given the night off to rest.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)	Prob Sat	Nose - 05 / 04 / 19	11-7	11-7	+ -
Ilyasova is dealing with a nasal fracture but is expected to take the court against the Nets on Saturday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)	Prob Thurs	Back - 01 / 04 / 19	12-8	13-7	+ -
Ilyasova sat out the previous game due to a sore back but it is likely he will suit up against the 76ers on Thursday.
Tony Snell (SG)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19	15-8	15-9	+ -
Snell is sidelined with a left ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pistons.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Fri	Groin - 20 / 03 / 19	16-9	15-11	+ -
Hill missed the previous game due to soreness in his left groin but is expected to face the Heat on Friday.
Nikola Mirotic (PF)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 20 / 03 / 19	16-9	15-11	+ -
Mirotic is sidelined due to a fracture in his left thumb but it is likely he will return to action against the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.

Lakers vs. Bucks Prediction