Bucks vs. Clippers Pick – NBA Predictions & Analysis

Milwaukee Bucks (41-23 SU, 27-37 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (41-21 SU, 32-30 ATS)

When: Sunday, March 10th, 3:00 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: BSSC

Point Spread: Mil -3.5/LAC +3.5

Total: 227.5

Money Line: Milwaukee Bucks -161/+133

Notable Injuries

Bucks

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Probable) Knee
• Khris Middleton (Out) Ankle

Clippers

• Russell Westbrook (Out) Hand

In a non-conference matchup, the Milwaukee Bucks (-161) will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers (+133) at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 ET and the game can be seen on BSSC.

Both teams come into this game with two-game streaks, but the Bucks (41-23) are favored by 3.5 points over the Clippers (41-21). The over/under line for this matchup is currently sitting at 227.5 points.

Recent Form

The Bucks are 3.5-point favorites today against the Clippers. This season, Milwaukee has been favored in 55 of their 64 games, going 39-16 as the favorite. As the favorite, they have an average scoring margin of +6.5 points per game.

Milwaukee’s ATS record for the season is 27-37, and they have failed to cover the spread in their last two games. On the road, they are 13-19 ATS compared to 14-18 ATS at home.

For the season, the Bucks are 31-33 on the O/U, and their games have averaged 238 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 227.5, which is lower than their season average of 237.

Despite being favored by 4 points, the Bucks lost their last game to the Lakers by a score of 123-122. The O/U line for that game was 229 points. Milwaukee is currently 41-23 on the season, which is good for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference standings, the Clippers are currently in 4th place with a record of 41-21. In games against other Western Conference teams, they are 25-16 and 16-5 in non-conference games.

At home, the Clippers have a scoring margin of +6.3 points per game, and they are 22-8 overall. As the underdog, they are 3-9 straight-up and 4-8 against the spread.

Los Angeles has won their last two games and covered the spread in both of those games. In their most recent game, they defeated the Bulls by a score of 112-102. The O/U line for that game was 220.5.

This season, the Clippers have an O/U record of 26-35-1, and their games have averaged 229.6 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 227.5.

Against the spread, the Clippers are 32-30 overall and 16-14 at home. In their last two home games, they have covered the spread. The Clippers have been the underdog in just 12 of their games this season.

The Historicals

Spanning across the last 5 head-to-head matchups, the Bucks and Clippers have been competitive, with an average margin of victory sitting at just 2 points per game. This has resulted in a 3-2 ATS record for Milwaukee. Over the course of these games, they averaged 234 points per game, leading a 2-3 over-under record.

Analysis

Heading into their matchup with the Clippers, the Bucks are one of the top-scoring teams in the NBA, averaging 120.9 points per game (2nd). When playing on the road, Milwaukee is scoring 118.8 points per game (3rd).

In terms of pace, the Bucks are 6th in the league at 100.7 possessions per game. This has helped them get up a lot of three-point attempts, as they are 6th in the NBA in three-point attempts per game (38.1).

So far this season, the Bucks have outscored the NBA scoring average in 65.6% of their games. In terms of field goal percentage, Milwaukee is 7th in the league at 49%.

Coming into the game, the Bucks’ defense is giving up an average of 117.1 points per game. So far, they have given up more points than the NBA league average in 59.4% of their games. When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Bucks squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 53.9% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 35.5% from downtown.

At home, the Clippers are averaging 117.3 points per game, which is 12th in the league. Overall, they are 11th in scoring at 117.2 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage, the Clippers are 6th in the NBA at 49%.

One reason for their high scoring is their three-point shooting. The Clippers are 2nd in three-point shooting percentage at 38%. On average, they are making 12.9 threes per game (14th).

When it comes to getting to the free-throw line, the Clippers are 12th in free throw attempts at 22.8 per game. They are also 7th in made free throws at 18.6.

So far this season, the Clippers defense has been performing well, ranking 10th in the NBA at 112.4 points allowed per contest. Los Angeles’ defense is currently forcing 12.2 turnovers per game, which is 9th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 16th in blocked shots, with an average of 5 rejections per game.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Milwaukee has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 112 points per game.
• In their last three home games, the Clippers have a straight up record of 2-1 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 105 points per game in these contests.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Clippers have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 7-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

These two teams just played last week, with the Bucks pulling out a big comeback win without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, even though the Clippers are at home, they are still the 3.5-point underdogs. Milwaukee’s West Coast road trip is off to a rough start after getting blown out by the Warriors and dropping a tight one to the Lakers. I’m going with the Clippers to cover at +3.5.