On a night when half of the 10-game slate involves teams on the second night of a back-to-back, the pickings are slim when it comes to matchups with stability but an opportunity is there in Cleveland. With the Cavs banged up, their usual ways of attempting to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are more limited.
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Bucks vs. Cavaliers Betting Odds
| Bucks | Cavaliers | |
| Spread | -6 | +6 |
| Moneyline | -238 | +198 |
| Total | o239.5 | u239.5 |
*lines accurate at the time of publication
Bucks vs. Cavaliers Best Bets
Bucks Team Total o123.5 (-105, DraftKings)
Cleveland has been able to still get wins even without Darius Garland and Evan Mobley for an extended period but the specific challenges Milwaukee brings to the table are likely to be too much to keep this game lower scoring, how the Cavs would like it. Cleveland missing the length Evan Mobley brings is key when thinking about how to attempt to slow down the size of the Bucks. Outside of Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade and Tristan Thompson are the only players in the rotation 6’9″ or taller getting minutes. If Allen draws the Giannis assignment and gets into foul trouble, Cleveland has nowhere to turn.
Since Mobley went out of the lineup, Cleveland has been the 13th-ranked defense per Cleaning the Glass but Milwaukee has found themselves offensively, averaging 131.3 points in December. The Bucks have gone over this team total in eight of 12 games this month and have not scored fewer than 118 in regulation. The floor is very high for this offense.
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What can add to both offenses is the likely return of Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers lineup. While Mitchell has been better about his defensive effort in Cleveland, he is not a plus defender and can be attacked, especially by the likes of Damian Lillard. Mitchell also clearly adds a desperately needed explosive element to the Cavs offense. Milwaukee has had plenty of issues slowing scoring guards this season and if Cleveland is going to keep up with the Bucks, Mitchell will likely need to play a central role.
The game getting out of control and the Bucks being able to let their foot off the gas is the most likely way this goes under but the likely return of Mitchell and floor of the Milwaukee offense makes this a bet on tonight’s slate.
Risk 1.05 units on DraftKings to win 1 unit.
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