The Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks are both on winning streaks. Will the Lakers continue their run? Or, will the Bucks, who have an axe to grind on the Lakers, victimize Los Angeles at home?
Catch this game live on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 7:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Lakers (39-32/12-20 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- D’Angelo Russell
- Austin Reaves
- LeBron James (Doubtful)
- Rui Hachimura
- Anthony Davis (Probable)
Can the Lakers double up on Milwaukee? It can be recalled that Los Angeles got the better of the Bucks in a 123-122 home win earlier this month. And the Lakers pulled that off without LeBron James due to a sore left ankle. The four-time league MVP could potentially sit out another matchup against the Bucks as he is listed with a doubtful label for the Milwaukee game. In any case, the Lakers have serious momentum, having won all their last three outings, including a bonkers 150-145 victory over the Indiana Pacers at home on Monday.
With or without James, the Lakers have the firepower to keep in step with Milwaukee, especially if D’Angelo Russell goes off again. In the first meeting with the Bucks, Russell dropped a 44-point bomb on the Bucks while Anthony Davis had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who are 3-0 against the spread in their last three visits to Cream City.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (46-25/29-7 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Damian Lillard
- Malik Beasley
- Khris Middleton (Probable)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Probable)
- Brook Lopez
After humbling the young Oklahoma City Thunder in a 118-93 home win on Monday, the Bucks are out for revenge, as they are looking to even the score with the Purple & Gold. Milwaukee played like a championship team in that Thunder game, shooting 53.3 percent from the field while neutralizing OKC’s attack, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company were held to just 37.1 percent of their attempts from the floor.
Defense has been a constant question mark this season for the Bucks, but they have been great on that side of the floor of late. Milwaukee’s last three opponents have shot just a combined 42.9 percent from the floor and only 32.3 percent from behind the arc.
The Bucks, who are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games at home are averaging 115.1 points since the All-Star break.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Bucks (-8.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The Total (232.5) hits the Under.
