Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder
December 17, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Oklahoma City -4.5; Over/Under: +216.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out at the Paycom Center in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday. Here’s a Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been on a tear as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after outlasting the Hawks in a 110-102 home win on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, and four blocks, Damian Lillard added 25 points with seven assists while Brook Lopez chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Bucks shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 45 from the 3-point line. This win was more about their defense as they looked to be in trouble before they restricted the Hawks to just 19 points in the fourth quarter to pull away and earn the gritty home win.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in great form as they’ve won nine of their last 10 games overall. OKC will be eager to build on their current five-game win streak after routing the Rockets in a 111-96 win on Saturday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals, Isaiah Hartenstein added 21 points on nine of 12 shooting while Jalen Williams chipped in with 20 points and five assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 45 percent from the field and 11 of 30 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sluggish start and scored just 18 points in the first quarter to trail going into halftime before they exploded for 70 points in the second half to make it look easy in the end.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Bucks have won eight of their last nine games following a win.
- The Thunder have lost five of their last six games against Bucks teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against Bucks teams that held a winning record.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in four of the Bucks’ last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bucks’ last four games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Three of the Thunder’s last four games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Bucks are coming into this one with a full roster, while the Thunder are still missing Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams to name a few. It is hard to split these two squads at the moment, as the Bucks are playing their best basketball of the season, and they are finally completely healthy. The Thunder have barely missed a step over the last two weeks and just routed a red-hot Rockets team. You can make an argument for either side here, but I’m expecting a close contest, so let’s take any points we can get.
