The Cleveland Cavaliers (23-8) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they clash with the Milwaukee Bucks (15-13) at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, and will air on NBATV.
Cleveland is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 217 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last matchup, they defeated the Washington Wizards, 106-99. The Cavaliers knocked down 10 of their 12 free throws (83.3 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.552 vs. 0.495). LeBron James played an enormous role in the victory for Cleveland, accumulating 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds on his way to his fifth triple-double this year.
The Bucks fell to the Houston Rockets in their last matchup, 115-111. Houston was effective at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Rockets made 34 of their 42 free throws (81.0 percent), while the Bucks were 27-33 (81.8 percent). With 28 points on 10-for-22 shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo was Milwaukee’s high scorer.
Milwaukee could put on a ball-control clinic in this matchup. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.2 percent), while Cleveland forces the sixth-fewest turnovers (13.6 percent). Furthermore, the Cavaliers rank third in effective field goal percentage (0.559), while the Bucks rank 24th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.530).
Cleveland has an outstanding 23-8 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 11-19-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Cavaliers games, with 16 overs compared to 15 unders.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 15-13 SU and 12-13-3 ATS. Bucks games tend to go over the total (60.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. James (27.6 points, 12.0 assists, 10.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals) has been stellar for the Cavaliers while Khris Middleton (23.2 points and 6.0 assists) has made solid contributions to the Bucks.
The Cavaliers have emerged victorious in both games against the Bucks this year, including a five-point victory in their last matchup. Cleveland covered as a 5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 243 points, which was 21.5 points above the projected point total of 221.5 points. The Cavaliers made 33 of their 38 free throws (86.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (10.8 vs. 15.1). Kevin Love put up a double-double in the victory with 32 points and 16 rebounds.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 9-5 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 7 unders.
Milwaukee is 5-7-2 ATS at home with 7 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Cleveland is 10-0 and Milwaukee is 6-2.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Cavaliers are 23-6 and the Bucks are 12-7.
Milwaukee ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (32.2).
The Bucks rank fourth in blocks per game (5.5) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (3.8).
Milwaukee ranks 11th in assists allowed per game (21.8) while Cleveland ranks 28th (25.1).
The Bucks average 46.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Cavaliers rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.0).
Milwaukee ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while Cleveland ranks 13th (16.3).
The Cavaliers rank 19th in second chance points per game (11.6) while the Bucks rank 29th (9.0).
Milwaukee ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Cleveland ranks 10th (7.6).
The Bucks rank first in fast break points allowed per game (6.8) while the Cavaliers rank ninth (9.8).
Cleveland ranks 22nd in rebounds per game (41.9) while Milwaukee ranks last (38.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 4.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 110.8 points per game (6.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.4 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
