Division leaders are set to square off Sunday afternoon when Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers pack their bags for the frigid Midwest to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in a premiere cross-conference battle. Adding to the intrigue of this heavyweight bout is the fact that both squads enter the matchup running hot. LA has come out victorious in six of its last eight games and covered the closing NBA odds five times. The Bucks bounced back from their longest losing streak of the season (5 straight) by winning and covering each of their last three games. With that, the competitive juices are bound to be flowing in the first of two scheduled regular season bouts. Milwaukee has taken each of the last three overall meetings (1-1-1 ATS) and held serve each of the last two times it hosted the Clippers winning by an average of 19 points per game.
This East/West battle is set to go down live on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. The game will be broadcast live on ABC. We'll have NBA odds available at BookMaker.eu for this and every game on Sunday’s NBA slate.
NBA Opening Lines at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
Though Milwaukee looks to have righted the ship, there’s still a glaring weakness at the defensive end of the court that must be shored up if the team is to remain one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. That issue comes with defending the 3-ball; they simply can’t do it! The Bucks have been lit up from beyond the arc in allowing all opposition to convert at a 38.1 percent clip (No. 24) and average nearly 15 made attempts per contest (No. 27). With the Clippers ranking out as the league’s No. 1 3-point shooting team that splashes down better than 42 percent of the time and averages north of 14 successful attempts per game (No. 7), Milwaukee’s ability or inability to keep LA’s shooters in check will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this matchup both from outright and pointspread perspectives.
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles was in no mood to play games following another four-point defeat to the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers took their frustrations out on a recently hot Washington Wizards squad that ousted LeBron James and the Lakers the night prior. There would be no upset of the other LA team! The 1-2 punch of Leonard and Paul George simply proved to be too much with the former ripping the Wizz for 32 points and 7 rebounds, while the latter went for 30 and 6 to lead LA to the carefree 135-116 win and cover as 12-point favorites. The team drained an absurd 19 of 38 shots from beyond the arc to turn the game into a laugher almost immediately. It’ll play two in Memphis before heading to Milwaukee with 11-4 SU and 10-5 ATS road records in tow.
Milwaukee Bucks
While the opposition hasn’t been the greatest over the course of the current three-game win streak, it’s a good sign the Bucks were able to take care of business as double-digit home favorites after spitting the bit in their previous five played games. The most recent saw Milwaukee take the Minnesota Timberwolves out behind the proverbial woodshed and serve up a good ‘ol fashioned 139-112 beating behind a game-high 37 points by none other than “The Greek Freak.” The win improved Mike Budenholzer’s squad to 12-4 SU and 10-6 ATS at home where the over has also cashed in at a 10-6 clip. Milwaukee has a date with Zion Williamson and the Pelicans before hosting the Clippers who will be playing this game on less rest than the home team.
Los Angeles vs. Milwaukee Prediction
From rebounding to offensive efficiency metrics, these teams are on par with one another. Where each has faltered just a bit has come at the other end of the floor where both teams rate out a skosh above average. While LA only concedes 109 points per game (No. 5), it’s allowed a 46.8 percent success rate (No. 16) and ranks No. 14 in efficiency. As for Milwaukee, its issues defending the arc has seen all opposition rack up an average of 112.1 points on a gamely basis (No. 18). It’s also conceding 108.2 points per 100 possessions (No. 10). With the firepower both teams have at their disposal, it’s going to be tough for under bettors to cash a ticket. We’re dealing with two teams that’ve played to high scorers in 60 percent of their games played to date. Don’t overthink it and get cute; points are going to hit the scoreboard with reckless abandon so buckle up and enjoy the show!
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