The Los Angeles Lakers aim to sustain their winning form when they kick off their lengthy journey to different territories outside of Tinseltown this Saturday in Wisconsin. There, they’ll meet Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who plan to add the Lakers to their growing list of victims this season.
Catch this game live on Saturday, December 3, at 8:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Lakers (8-12/2-6 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Patrick Beverley
- SF: Lonnie Walker IV (questionable)
- PF: LeBron James
- C: Anthony Davis
The Lakers responded to their heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers last Tuesday in a big way by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers at home, 128 -109 Thursday to give themselves a nice momentum heading into a six-game road trip that begins this Saturday in Milwaukee.
The Lakers are in the midst of their best stretch yet of the season, having won six of their last eight games, during which they have averaged 120.4 points on 49.5 FG% while holding opponents down to just 111.0 points on 43.0 FG%. Those averages are way better than their season numbers of 113.1 points per outing and 114.3 points allowed. The Lakers are seemingly starting to get it together, and it’s not only making their fans happy but their spread-bettors as well, as the Purple & Gold have posted a 6-2 record against the spread in their eight most recent outings.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (15-5/11-2 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Grayson Allen
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez
The Lakers are feeling confident, as they should after all the wins they have amassed of late. But Milwaukee is a different animal. And playing the Bucks on the road is always going to be tough. For one, Milwaukee has only lost twice in 11 games as the home team this season, thus far. The Bucks are also 9-4 against the spread in those 11 contests. Their current form can’t be questioned too, with the Bucks winning all of their last three games and going 4-1 in their last five. They are coming off a 109-103 win in the Big Apple against the New York Knicks.
Word is that Khris Middleton is making his season debut as well, which is a big boost to the Bucks.
Prior to that, Milwaukee downed the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks, both at home. Sure the Lakers are winning, but Los Angeles is losing the possession battle even though it seems to be improving. In their last eight games, the Lakers have put up 86.6 field-goal attempts per game, while their opponents averaged 97.4 FGA. That smells like blood for Milwaukee that is second in the league in rebounds (58.4 RPG) and seventh in threes made (13.0) per contest. And then there’s Milwaukee’s defense which is third with just 107.4 points given up per night.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Bucks (-8.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The Under (228.5) hits.
