Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/14/2018

Friday, December 14, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, December 14, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 11.5 point favorites.

The Bucks have a record of 18-9. They are 1st in the Central Division. They have a point differential of 8.9 as they average 118.1 points per game while giving up 109.2 per contest. The Cavaliers have an overall record of 7-21 this season. They are 4th in the Central Division. They average 103.4 points per game and surrender 111.2, good for a point differential of -7.8.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 14-13-0 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-12-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-14-0 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 13-15-0 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/11/18 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely
11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this contest averaging 25.9 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 13.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 58% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 69%. Khris Middleton averages 17.4 points per game in 30.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.8 assists per contest and 5.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Rodney Hood averages 12.8 points per game while playing 28.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. Jordan Clarkson averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 118.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.9 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 50.3 rebounds per game and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 14.6 per game. The Bucks allow 109.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 27th in the league with 103.4 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -7.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 44.0 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 19.5. The Cavaliers are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.0. The Cavaliers surrender 111.2 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.6 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers were 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league. Milwaukee is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 1st in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 115.8, and their offensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 30th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 28% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -11.5

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