Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and predictions

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

The Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15) and Milwaukee Bucks (30-13) meet Wednesday at the Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Cavaliers vs. Bucks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 1-1

The Cavaliers enter on an 8-game win streak, including a 135-95 throttling of the Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Jan. 17 as a 2-point favorite as the Under (237) connected. Cleveland has covered 7 of the 8 games during the win streak, while the Under is 5-1-1 in the past 7 contests.

The Bucks made news Tuesday, firing coach Adrian Griffin despite a 30-13 record. Assistant coach John Prunty will serve as the team's interim head coach. It was a stunning development, as Milwaukee was tied for the 2nd-best record in the NBA. However, defense was cited as the reason, as the Bucks rank 22nd in the NBA in defensive rating.

Milwaukee has won 5 of the past 6 games overall, but it has failed to cover the past 5 outings, while going 1-10 against the spread (ATS) in the past 11 contests. At home, the Bucks have won 3 in a row, but Milwaukee is just 1-6 ATS in the past 7 at Fiserv Forum.

Cavaliers at Bucks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:511 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Bucks -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +6.5 (-105) | Bucks -6.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Cavaliers at Bucks key injuries

Cavaliers

G Darius Garland (jaw) out
G Caris LeVert (wrist) questionable
C Evan Mobley (knee) out
C Tristan Thompson (suspension) out

Bucks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) probable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Cavaliers at Bucks picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 123, Cavaliers 118

Moneyline

It's tempting to play the Cavaliers (+225) for the chance to multiply your initial wager by 2 times. After all, Cleveland enters on an 8-game win streak, including a 40-point thumping of the Bucks (-275) just last week.

However, Milwaukee is likely to get a bump after the firing, as teams generally have a fire lit under them when a coach is jettisoned. However, you can't risk nearly 3 times your potential return on a team which was just smoked by 40 against this very same opponent only a week ago.

PASS.

Against the spread

The CAVALIERS +6.5 (-105) are catching more than 3 buckets, and that's the safest play. The Bucks -6.5 (-115) are sure to come out with a little bit of urgency, and they weren't playing all that poorly prior to Griffin's departure. But that 40-point loss in Cleveland last Wednesday sticks out like a sore thumb. Back the Cavs, as it wouldn't be stunning to see them win outright.

Over/Under

The OVER 235.5 (-115) is worth a look. While the thinking is that the Bucks canned Griffin because of the poor defensive rating, things aren't going to change overnight with Prunty running the show.

The Under is 5-1-1 in the past 7 games overall for the Cavaliers, but the Over hit against Orlando in the most recent showing. And the Bucks have cashed the Over in 3 of the past 5 games, while allowing 135 or more points in 3 of the past 4 outings.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NBA coverage:

Facebook Twitter Email