Bucks and Lakers Clash in High-Stakes NBA Showdown

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Los Angeles Lakers at the Fiserv Forum on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in a crucial NBA matchup. Both teams are looking to end losing streaks, with the Bucks having lost three consecutive games and the Lakers on a two-game slump.

The Bucks, currently holding a record of 36-28, are 21-11 at home, while the Lakers are 40-23 overall and have struggled on the road with a 15-16 record. Los Angeles is coming off a close loss to the Brooklyn Nets, falling 111-108. Conversely, Milwaukee’s latest defeat was a narrow 115-114 loss against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.

Injury reports indicate that Los Angeles will be without LeBron James (groin), while Luka Dončić (ankle) is questionable for the game. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (groin) are deemed probable, but Bobby Portis is still unavailable due to suspension.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. This matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the teams, with a second clash set for next Thursday. Last season, the Lakers swept the Bucks in a two-game series.

The latest odds from SportsLine indicate Milwaukee as a seven-point favorite, after the line opened with the Bucks favored by five points. The over/under for the game is set at 225 points. Milwaukee is favored at -260 on the money line, while Los Angeles is positioned at +211.

Before placing any bets, it’s crucial to review projections from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times. This model has generated a profit exceeding $10,000 for $100 players on top-rated bets over the past six-plus seasons, currently boasting a 148-107 record on NBA selections.

On the court, Milwaukee looks to its superstars for a turnaround. Antetokounmpo and Lillard both recorded double-doubles in the recent loss against Indiana, with Antetokounmpo contributing 19 points and 17 rebounds, and Lillard adding 15 points and 11 assists. Antetokounmpo is currently second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.7 points per game, while Lillard follows with an average of 25.3 points.

On the other hand, Los Angeles has been revitalized by guard Austin Reaves, who has scored 17 or more points in five of the last eight games. For the season, Reaves holds averages of 18.8 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Luka Dončić is also a key player for the Lakers, recently posting a triple-double.

As the game approaches, the SportsLine model indicates a lean toward an Under on the total points, predicting 221 combined points. Additionally, the model has identified a point-spread pick that has shown success in over 50% of its simulations, enhancing the intrigue surrounding the night’s competition.

As anticipation builds for this exciting matchup, bettors and fans alike will be eager to see which team will break their losing streak and gain momentum as the season progresses.