Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis and Predictions

The Best Bets for Saturday, December 18th

The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-12) travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks (19-11) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, December 18th. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 P.M. EST.

Would you have believed before the season began that the Cavaliers would almost have the same record as the defending-champion Bucks in mid-December? Entering Saturday, that is exactly the case.

The Cavaliers are 8-2 over their last ten games and are currently in the midst of a five-game winning streak. Cleveland most recently defeated Houston by a lopsided margin on Wednesday.

The Bucks are 7-3 in their last ten contests, and they are scheduled to play the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday night before traveling back home to host Cleveland on Saturday.

The Bucks defeated the Cavaliers last week by a final score of 112-104 in Milwaukee. Cleveland will aim to earn their revenge in this Saturday night affair, while the Bucks will look to take care of business once again.

NBA – Cavaliers at Bucks Betting Trends

Cleveland owns the best overall against the spread record in the NBA with a 23-5-2 mark ATS. The Cavs are 11-2-1 ATS on the road this season. They are 9-5 on the road in 2021.

The Cavaliers are 3-0 ATS when playing after two or three days of rest this season.

Milwaukee is 13-17 ATS this season. The Bucks are 5-9 ATS on their home floor. But they are 10-4 SU at home this year.

The Bucks are 1-4 ATS playing in the second of a back-to-back.

Betting Odds

This game projects to be highly competitive. Most people will be tempted to automatically favor Milwaukee, but Cleveland has been one of the hottest teams in the league as of late.

Additionally, Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Wednesday’s game due to health and safety protocols. Barring a quick return, he will likely miss Saturday’s game. Khris Middleton is also questionable due to a knee ailment, but he is expected to be ready for the game.

The Cavaliers are expected to be at almost full health entering Saturday. However, Evan Mobley is questionable with a hip injury, and Isaac Okoro recently entered NBA healthy and safety protocols.

But with the duo of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen expected to be on the floor and Giannis likely to miss the game, the Cavaliers have a realistic chance of upsetting the odds.

Best Betting Odds to Bet Online

Oddsshark lists the Bucks as 1.5-point favorites against the Cavs at home.

Betonline and BetUS have yet to release their odds for this game.

How To Bet On: Cavaliers at Bucks Betting lines

The Bucks have enjoyed a tremendous season. They rank fourth in points per game, second in rebounds per game, and seventh in three-point percentage. But one thing they fail to do is share the ball at an efficient level.

Milwaukee ranks just 20th in assists per game which tends to throw them out of their offensive rhythm at times. Jrue Holiday has been effective at getting his teammates involved with a team-leading 6.5 assists per game, and Giannis has been solid as well with 5.8 assists per contest.

But they lack playmaking from an overall team perspective. This is the one area where Cleveland clearly has an advantage.

The Cavaliers rank ninth in assists per game. They also have two of the better passers in the league in Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio, running the guard positions. Garland has averaged 7.4 assists per game to pace the Cavs, while Rubio has posted 6.5 assists per game.

Almost everyone else on the team chips in around two assists per game, which leads to a high number of dimes on a regular basis.

Cleveland also is able to maintain their assist numbers due to their ability to find the bottom of the net on a consistent basis. They rank in the top half of the league in both field goal and three-point percentage.

So, can the Cavaliers upset the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday night?

I am going to take a chance and say yes. This article is about the best bets for Saturday, and I believe Cleveland could earn bettors a lot of money on Saturday night.

The Cavs have already been one of the sneakiest picks all season long since everyone is waiting for them to crumble. It is one of the main reasons why they have the best record against the spread.

Expect the Cavs to add another ATS victory in this game and continue to move up the Eastern Conference standings.

OBS Betting Picks for Cavaliers at Bucks

Take the Cleveland Cavaliers -1.5.

Bonus! Other Games Worth Placing a Bet on

All odds courtesy of Betonline.

NBA:

• Washington Wizards +10.5
• Utah Jazz -10.5

Pick: Utah Jazz -10.5

This is a safe pick to lean on for Saturday’s slate.

NCAAB:

• Tennessee -5.5
• Memphis +5.5

Pick: Tennessee -5.5

Roll with Tennessee to cover in this matchup.

• TCU -1.5
• Georgetown +1.5

Pick: Georgetown -1.5

Take Georgetown to pull off the upset at home.

NFL:

• New England Patriots +2.5
• Indianapolis Colts -2.5

Pick: New England Patriots -1.5

I like the Patriots to pull off the upset and continue their winning streak despite playing on the road on Saturday.

NCAAF:

• Appalachian State -2.5
• Western Kentucky +2.5

Pick: Appalachian State

Take Appalachian State in this Saturday affair.

NHL:

• Ottawa Senators +1.5
• Philadelphia Flyers -1.5

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers -1.5

Take the Flyers at home.

• Los Angeles King +1.5
• Carolina Hurricanes -1.5

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5

Look for the Hurricanes to cover the spread in this one.

• New Jersey Devils +1.5
• Detroit Red Wings -1.5

Pick: Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings should be able to take care of business at home against New Jersey.