Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks - 12/19/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (24-4, 1st in the Central Division) host the Los Angeles Lakers (24-3, 1st in the Pacific Division) at Fiserv Forum on Thursday, December 19, 2019. The line on this game has Milwaukee as 1.5 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 220.

The Lakers are covering the spread 57.1% of the time, having gone 16-12-0 ATS. Milwaukee is covering 53.6% of the time, going 15-13-0 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/18/2019 Kyle Kuzma PF Ankle Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Anthony Davis PF Ankle Game Time Decision
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/17/2019 Dragan Bender SF Ankle Game Time Decision
12/14/2019 Eric Bledsoe PG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 30

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis comes into this game averaging 27.4 points per contest while playing 34.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 9.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 86%. LeBron James averages 25.9 points per contest in 34.7 minutes per game. He averages 10.6 assists per game and 7.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 67%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 31.7 points per contest while playing 31.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 12.8 rebounds per contest and has 5.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 60%. Khris Middleton averages 18.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 27.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.4 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 112.9 points per contest, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 9.0 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 1st. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 45.8 boards per contest and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 16th with 15.2 per game. The Lakers allow 103.9 points per contest, which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they allow 22.9 assists per game which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 1st in the NBA with 121.0 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 12.93. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 14th in the league. They are 1st in the NBA in rebounding with 51.3 boards per contest and 7th in assists per game with 25.9. The Bucks are 20th in turnovers per contest with 14.6. The Bucks give up 108.1 points per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 42% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 1st and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.2 dimes allowed per game and 20th with 46.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.9, and their defensive rating of 103 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 4th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Los Angeles is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 25th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA. The Bucks are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 102.4, and their offensive rating of 114.7 is ranked 1st. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 105.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 1st. As a unit they are 1st in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Milwaukee -1.5

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