Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 10/20/2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, October 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Cleveland as 3 point favorites.

The Cavaliers come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 51-31. They were 1st in the Central Division. They had a point differential of 3.1 as they averaged 110.3 points per game while giving up 107.2 per contest. The Bucks had an overall record of 42-40 last season. They were 2nd in the Central Division. They averaged 103.6 points per game and surrendered 103.8, good for a point differential of -0.2.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers were 36-43-3 against the spread last season

The Cleveland Cavaliers were 47-35-0 against the over/under last year

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks were 36-46-0 against the spread last season

The Milwaukee Bucks were 42-38-2 against the over/under last year

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

10/16/17 PG Isaiah Thomas Hip out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

10/19/17 C Greg Monroe Head is probable Friday vs. Cleveland
10/16/17 F Jabari Parker Knee out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lebron James comes into this game after averaging 26.4 points per contest while playing 37.8 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 8.6 rebounds per contest and distributed 8.7 assists per game. His FG percentage was 55% while his free throw percentage was 67%. Dwyane Wade averaged 18.3 points per contest in 29.9 minutes per game last year. He averaged 3.8 assists per game and 4.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 43% for the season while his free throw percentage was 79%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22.9 points per contest while playing 35.6 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 8.8 rebounds per contest and had 5.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 52% and his free throw percentage finished at 77%. Greg Monroe averaged 11.7 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 22.5 minutes per game. He also brought in 6.6 rebounds per game and had 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 53% and his free throw percentage was 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averaged 110.3 points per contest last year, which was 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin was 3.18 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a unit, which had them ranked 5th. From 3-point territory they shot 38%, which was good for 2nd in the NBA. They averaged 43.7 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranked them 12th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 16th with 13.7 per game. The Cavaliers allowed 107.2 points per contest, which was 20th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 18th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 44.2 rebounds a game which ranked 20th, and they allowed 24.7 assists per game which put them in 29th place in the league. They forced 12.6 turnovers per game which ranked them 3rd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee was 20th in the NBA with 103.6 points per contest last season. They were 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was -0.18. They shot 37% from beyond the arc, which was good for 10th in the league. They were 29th in the NBA in rebounding with 40.4 boards per contest and 5th in assists per game with 24.2. The Bucks were 12th in turnovers per contest with 14. The Bucks gave up 103.8 points per game, which ranked them 9th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 27th with 24.1 dimes allowed per game and 8th with 42.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks were 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers were 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.6, and their defensive rating of 110.3 was ranked 10th last season. In terms of pace they were 15th in the league with 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% was 2nd. As a team they were 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shot 3 pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league. Cleveland was 16th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 12th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee was 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 52%, which was 11th in the NBA. The Bucks were 13th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 109.1 was ranked 11th. They were 26th in the NBA in pace with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% was 7th. As a unit they were 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Cleveland +3

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