Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to have fallen in the MVP running with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic making it a two-person race. Nonetheless, the Bucks’ forward is still having a tremendous season.
He’s averaging 30.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while leading the Bucks to a 36-28 record. They play the Lakers, who will be without LeBron James tonight.
Milwaukee is favored by seven points and the game total is set at 224 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Below, I have featured my favorite Antetokounmpo prop bets to consider from this contest.
Best Giannis Antetokounmpo Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Giannis Antetokounmpo over 29.5 points (-110)
Any Lakers vs. Bucks matchup is notable with multiple stars on both sides facing off. Tonight’s game is heightened since it will air on national TV.
It’s the first of two matchups between these teams this season, but James won’t play in this one. The 40-year-old is dealing with a groin injury that is projected to keep him sidelined for 1-2 weeks. That leaves Los Angeles with Luka Doncic, who is questionable, and Austin Reaves.
While the Lakers have been great since acquiring Doncic, the team is bound to struggle without James. He’s an integral part of the rotation, and it’s already shown during Monday’s loss to the Nets.
Antetokounmpo should take advantage of a weaker Lakers team, especially one that lacks an interior defender. The Bucks’ All-Star primarily attacks the rim and is shooting his fewest three-pointers per game since his sophomore season.
He’s shooting 60.5 percent from the field, while taking just 0.8 three-pointers per game. It’s almost all paint dominance for Antetokounmpo, so he should be able to feast inside tonight. While James isn’t an elite rim protector, he does provide some size to the Lakers’ roster.
Along with James, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura are out tonight. That’s all three starters in the frontcourt. Jarred Vanderbilt, Dorian Finney-Smith, Alex Len and Trey Jemison III will need to fill the gap.
Vanderbilt and Finney-Smith are great defenders, but they’re not traditional interior defenders. They’re 6’8 and 6’7, respectively. Antetokounmpo should have no problem scoring 30 points tonight against this Lakers team.