Lakers vs. Bucks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for February 9 (Milwaukee Struggles to Put Los Angeles Away)

Lakers vs. Bucks Game Info

• Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023
• Time: 10:00 PM ET
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena -- Los Angeles, California
• Coverage: TNT and SportsNet LA

As the NBA trade deadline arrives, the Los Angeles Lakers (25-30) are preparing to host the Milwaukee Bucks (37-17) for a showdown at crypto.com Arena at 10 p.m. ET.

LeBron James' historical moment was spoiled when his Lakers fell 133-130 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. It's going to be tough for them to stop the Bucks, who are on an eight-game winning streak. Milwaukee picked up a 127-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in its last outing, helped by Brook Lopez's team-high 27 points.

Can the Lakers get back on track before it's too late? Or will the Bucks find a way to achieve their ninth consecutive victory?

Lakers vs. Bucks Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: MIL: (-310) | LAL: (+250)
• Spread: MIL: -8 (-110) | LAL: +8 (-110)
• Total: 238.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Bucks enter this contest as clear road favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 238.5 points with -110 odds on both sides.

Bucks vs Lakers Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Bucks	-5.5	-	-	239	-110	-110	-240	198

Lakers vs. Bucks Betting Trends

• The Bucks have covered the spread 28 times in 52 games with a set spread.
• So far this year, the Lakers have been installed as underdogs by a 5.5-point margin or more 20 times and are 7-12-1 ATS in those contests.
• Games involving the Bucks have hit the over 26 times out of 53 chances this season.
• Lakers games this season have hit the over on 29 of 53 set point totals (54.7%).
• Against the spread, Milwaukee has played better at home, covering 18 times in 28 home games, and 10 times in 24 road games.
• This year, Los Angeles is 12-12-1 at home against the spread (.480 winning percentage). On the road, it is 12-15-1 ATS (.429).

Lakers vs. Bucks Prediction & Pick

While the Lakers overcame the Bucks back in December, don't count on history repeating itself. The Bucks are the NBA's hottest team, leading the league in points scored (126.6 PPG) over the last eight games. They've also built up their streak by winning each of those games by an average of 12.5 points.

As great as the Lakers can be on some nights, they don't have the defense to stop the current version of the Bucks. Los Angeles surrenders third-most points in the Association (118.6 PPG) and has allowed at least 121 in five of the last six games — including 131-plus in back-to-back outings.

With the Lakers also being shorthanded as they wait for the arrivals of D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, there are even fewer reasons to back the home team. Look for the Bucks to stay hot with another strong effort.

Final Score Prediction: Bucks: 127 | Lakers: 123

Lakers vs. Bucks Best Bet

The Bucks should win tonight, but don't count on them covering as -8 favorites. After all, the Lakers have already beaten them once this season and have also covered the spread in four of the last six meetings. LeBron and co. are also out for revenge after losing to the Thunder on his big night, so I'm expecting a statement effort by LA.

With six of the Lakers' last eight losses only coming by five or fewer points, I'm even more confident that they can keep things closer than expected against the Bucks.

Bet: Lakers +8 (-110)

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.