The Bucks are hosting the Lakers on Wednesday night. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Los Angeles is favored by 14.5 points, and this game carries a total of 228.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Lakers vs. Bucks prediction, preview
The Lakers have been outstanding so far in their first season following the LeBron James era in Los Angeles. The Lakers sit atop the Western Conference at 10-2, and they rank eighth in net rating. Los Angeles’ offense has been the key to its success, as the team easily leads the NBA in offensive rating and true shooting percentage. The Lakers rank just 18th in defensive rating, but their offense has been so elite that it has made up for their subpar defense.
Los Angeles has won six straight, and both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are off the injury report after missing games recently, which is a scary sight for the Bucks. Doncic has been the best offensive player in the league this season, leading the NBA with a career-high 39.3 PPG on 50% shooting. Doncic is also dishing out 7.9 assists a night. The guard has been unstoppable, and he is the current favorite to win MVP on DraftKings Sportsbook with +145 odds.
To complement Doncic, Reaves is also having a career-best season. The guard is averaging 25.3 PPG on 50% shooting. With both Doncic and Reaves on the floor, the Lakers own an elite +26.8 net rating. Many expected Doncic and Reaves’ numbers to increase with James taking his talents to Philadelphia, but very few predicted Doncic and Reaves would be this successful.
The Lakers’ questionable defense is a concern for this team’s chances in the playoffs, but with Doncic and Reaves playing at such a high level on offense right now, Los Angeles should continue to dominate in the regular season. This team’s torrid start is likely to continue against this hopeless Bucks team.
Like the Lakers, the Bucks lost the player who had been the face of their franchise for the last decade or so this offseason with Giannis Antetokounmpo traded to the Heat. Unfortunately, that deal was mostly based around the draft capital that Milwaukee received, and not players to help the team win now. The Bucks have one of the weakest rosters in the association, and it has been on full display with this team off to a 1-10 start.
Milwaukee ranks second to last in net rating and is in the bottom-five in both offensive and defensive rating. Tyler Herro was the best player the Bucks received in the Antetokounmpo trade, and he is leading the team with 21.4 PPG, but Herro isn’t good enough to be a winning team’s main option, hence Milwaukee’s struggles. Herro is better fit to be the fourth-best player on a championship contending team, but nonetheless, he is the Bucks’ top player right now. Unfortunately, Herro is questionable to play tonight with a knee injury that kept him out for last night’s matchup vs. the Knicks.
With Herro inactive, the Bucks got run out of the gym by the defending champions, 117-85. With Herro off the court this season, Milwaukee has a -19.0 net rating, which is 7.9 points per 100 possessions worse than with him. Myles Turner will also be out tonight for rest purposes, which actually may help Milwaukee. The center has looked awful this season, averaging 6.7 PPG on 33% shooting, both of which are easily career-worst marks. Outside Herro and Turner, this Bucks squad features many inconsistent players, including Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Kyle Kuzma, who will all see expanded roles tonight if Herro sits.
It’s hard to say if the guard will play tonight, but either way, this Bucks team that just played last night will be at a massive disadvantage against this far superior Lakers team that has an extra day of rest in their favor.
Lakers vs. Bucks pick, best bet
This one is pretty simple. The Lakers have been one of the best teams in the NBA, while the Bucks have been one of the worst. Los Angeles is also the more rested squad.
The Lakers should blow the Bucks out, and Los Angeles -14.5 is a strong wager. This season, the Lakers are 9-3 ATS and 5-1 ATS on the road.
