NBA Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks

The top two NBA teams will go on a collision course as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday in what could be, as all present indications show, a potential preview in the series for all the marbles in June. Much is being anticipated for this clash as fans are also looking forward to the individual match-up between Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James who are in a foot race for the league's MVP plum. The Greek Freak, who is the reigning MVP, looks to chase the hardware for the second straight time while James vies for No. 5 in his 17th season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers will be playing their 30th game inside the Staples Center, aiming for the 23rd win inside their home floor and their 10th win over the last 11 games overall. They are also looking to exact revenge against the Bucks after the team fell short in their previous meeting in Milwaukee last December, 104-111, despite James and Anthony Davis combining for 57 points. Friday could be a much different story as LA has gone into a slight overhaul since that loss - a setback that exposed their lack of bench support. With the addition of Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters, expect the Lakers to not skip a beat right from the get-go this time as coach Frank Vogel now has the wealth for a deeper and a much better rotation.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are coming off a bounce-back victory against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, 119-110 after they were held by the Miami Heat to their lowest scoring output of the year on Monday. It was like a punch to the gut for the NBA's best team but they quickly responded by restoring order to get back on track immediately just in time for their showdown against their rivals from the conference across. But while fans are all into the feud, Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 29.6 points and 13.8 rebounds this season, took the other road as he doffed his hat on James and expressed his admiration towards the all-time great. "It's amazing. He's 35 and playing at a high level," Antetokounmpo said of James. "He just leads the path for us. A lot of times we think that, 'OK, we're going to retire at 35,' but seeing a guy at 35 being still top-three best player in the world, that makes us want to be there."

Odds and Trends

No favorites. No underdogs. The Lakers and the Bucks are evenly matched even on the latest NBA Odds as the game is listed as pick'em in the main two-way market and spread. The total line is set at 227 points.

The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 4-1 in their last 5 games overall.

The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Over is 5-1 in Lakers' last 6 Friday games and 16-7 in Bucks' last 23 games as an underdog.

Under is 42-20 in Lakers' last 62 games as a home favorite and 5-0 in Bucks' last 5 overall.

Prediction

Lakers win, 118-115.