Cavaliers vs. Bucks Prediction
After a string of playing top opponents recently, will the Milwaukee Bucks be able to roll to a big win when they host the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 8PM ET?
515 Cleveland Cavaliers at 516 Milwaukee Bucks
Monday, December 10, 2018
8PM ET – Fiserv Forum
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Bucks are heavily favored at home, as they are getting odds of -13 points against the Cavs. The over/under total is listed at 220 points. The public betting is currently split right down the middle, 50-50. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cavs coming off win
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a 116-101 win at home over the Wizards on Saturday, but they have won just two of their last eight games. Cleveland is 6-20 overall, 2-10 on the road, 13-13 against the spread and 14-12 with the under.
The Cavs are struggling on both sides of the ball this season. The offense is producing just 103.5 points per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Cavs are giving up 111.5 points per contest and opponents are shooting 48.9 percent from the field. Cleveland has some injury concerns as JR Smith is out indefinitely, Kevin Love is out with a foot injury and Rodney Hood is questionable with a toe injury. Jordan Clarkston has been leading the team off the bench, averaging 16.3 points per game while Tristan Thompson adds 12 points and 11.8 rebounds per contest.
Bucks seeking win streak
The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off a 104-99 win at Toronto on Sunday, but they haven’t managed to win back-to-back games since Nov. 21. Milwaukee is now 17-8 overall, 12-3 at home, 13-11-1 against the spread and 15-10 with the over.
The Bucks have the top-scoring offense in the NBA this season, as they are averaging 119.4 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field. Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing 109.8 points per contest, while opponents are shooting 44 percent from the field. The team recently traded for George Hill from the Cavs and he could be making his debut tonight. Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading Milwaukee with 26.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per contest. Khris Middleton is adding 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Cleveland
The Cavs are 4-1 against the spread in their last five conference games, but just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 division contests.
Milwaukee
The Bucks are just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, but 4-1 ATS in their last five division games.
Prediction:
The Bucks are coming off a big win last night at Toronto, but now have the quick turnaround against the Cavs. Milwaukee hasn’t been consistent at cover for some time. I think, given they are coming off games against the Warriors and Raptors, they are likely to overlook the Cavs right now. They probably see this as a night off to a degree, which should open the door for Cleveland to be competitive and cover. The Cavs had a day off on Sunday and can try to take advantage of Milwaukee’s tired legs.
NBA Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers +13