Milwaukee (14-11) at Cleveland (23-4)
- When: Dec 20 2024, 7:30 PM
- Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH, USA
- TV: NBA TV
Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Moneyline
Milwaukee Bucks +315
Cleveland Cavaliers -420
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Point Spread
Milwaukee Bucks 9.0 (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers -9.0 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Total
Over 221.0 (-110)
Under 221.0 (-110)
- Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
Key Players:
Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Cleveland: Donovan Mitchell
Team Stats
| Bucks | Cavaliers | |
| 14-11 | Record | 23-4 |
| 4-7 | Away & Home | 14-1 |
| 8-2 | Last 10 | 7-3 |
| W3 | Streak | W2 |
Last Matchup:
CLE 116-114, November 4th, 2024
Game Preview
Fresh off their NBA Cup victory, the Milwaukee Bucks hit the road to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, aiming to continue their hot streak. Milwaukee, crowned NBA Cup champions, rolled through Las Vegas with a win over the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals before dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the finals.
Bucks on a Roll
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stellar triple-double performance in the championship game (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists) earned him NBA Cup MVP honors. Damian Lillard chipped in 23 points, cementing Milwaukee’s standing as a team to watch.
Antetokounmpo highlighted the team’s focus after the win, stating, “We’re playing great basketball, trusting each other. I’m proud of the group, especially our defensive effort. But the job’s not done – there’s a lot more basketball ahead.”
Cavs Rested but Shorthanded
The Cavaliers return after a short break, last seen demolishing Brooklyn 130-101 on Monday. However, the win came at a cost, with forward Isaac Okoro sidelined for two weeks due to a shoulder injury. Cleveland’s balanced offense saw seven players score at least 11 points in the game, with Evan Mobley leading the way with 21.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson praised his defense, saying, “Getting back to physicality and turning teams over was our focus. The effort paid off.”
Key Matchups & Betting Angles
Giannis leads the league with 32.7 points per game and adds 11.5 rebounds to his stats, while Damian Lillard orchestrates the Bucks’ offense with 7.5 assists per game. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell counters with 23.3 points per game, supported by Darius Garland’s 20.3 points and team-best 6.5 assists.
Cleveland will need to lean on their league-best offensive rating (120.6) and impressive shooting efficiency (50.4 FG%, 39.9 3PT%) to counter Milwaukee’s surging form. The Bucks are heating up from deep, leading the NBA in 3-point percentage over their last 15 games (41.0%), with Taurean Prince and AJ Green shooting lights out.
Recent History
Cleveland has owned Milwaukee in recent matchups, winning three straight against the Bucks, including two close contests in early November. Damian Lillard carried Milwaukee in those games with 41 and 36 points, respectively, while Giannis missed the second contest. Those losses were part of Milwaukee’s early-season struggles, but the Bucks have since turned the corner, winning 12 of their last 15.
Betting Prediction
With the Bucks listed as underdogs and the total set at 221.0, there’s value in backing Milwaukee to cover the spread, especially given their defensive improvements and recent momentum. For prop bets, look for Giannis to deliver another dominant all-around performance, while Lillard remains a strong candidate to hit his points over. Cleveland, without Okoro and potentially other key players, may struggle to maintain their offensive efficiency against Milwaukee’s surging form.
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks +9.0; Total: Over 221.0. Expect the Bucks to ride their championship momentum and cover vs the Cavaliers in a high-scoring thriller.
NBA Parlay Picks & Predictions
Final Score: Cleveland 119-112
Expert Pick: Milwaukee +9 & Over 221
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $364
- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
