Andre Snellings, ESPN
The NBA Cup Finals have arrived and we are right on the chase. Oklahoma City, the top seed in the West, will face Milwaukee, the top seed in the East. This makes sense since these two teams are also the most popular teams in the NBA.
The Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference, and their +12.1 point differential is the best in the NBA. On the other hand, the Bucks got off to a slow start this season, but have made a major comeback, winning 10 of the past 12 games.
Here are the betting angles to watch for tonight’s big match.
Note: This statistic for the NBA Cup Finals does not count in ESPN Fantasy Leagues.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 32.5 points or more (-105)
Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged over 30 PPG for the third straight season, increasing his scoring to 32.8 PPG in the last month (12 games). He was equally effective in the NBA Cup, posting 32.2 PPG in six games and scoring 39 points against Dallas. Gilgeous-Alexander will have to compete against a team as hot as the Bucks, but Milwaukee struggled to protect opposing point guards, allowing the third-highest scoring average in the NBA.
Bobby Portis has over 7.5 rebounds (-120)
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The Thunder have one of the toughest defenses in the NBA, but they tend to play a small lineup of one center and a few wings. As a result, one area they have conceded to their opponents is rebounding. OKC allows the fourth-most rebounds to opposing centers (16.0 RPG). Portis has been especially active on the boards as of late, averaging 10.5 RPG over his past four games and at least nine boards in three of those contests.
Thunder -5.5 vs. Bucks (-105)
The Bucks are playing great basketball right now, but the Thunder have been playing at a high level all season and are a team that has been getting more attention as of late. Milwaukee has won 10 of their last 12 games with a +5.5 point differential, while OKC has won nine of their past 10 games with a +13.1 point differential. The Bucks have a strong one-two punch in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard that rivals any duo, but the Thunder’s combination of stifling defense and excellent long-range shooting from almost every position makes them difficult to break down. There is.
Prediction and injury reporting
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury tally by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Players in italics are available in most ESPN leagues
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Broadcast at 8:30pm ET on ABC
Line: Bucks +4.5 (-105) | Thunder -4.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Bucks +170 | Thunder -200
Total: 214.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Prediction: Thunder 8.4, 75% straight, 225.7 total points.
Reporting an injury:
Bucks: Damian Lillard (GTD – Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Knee); Khris Middleton, (GTD – Illness); Liam Robbins (GTD – Ankle)
Thunder: Chet Holmgren (OUT – Hip); Nicolato Pic, (OUT – Knee); Jaylin Williams, (OUT – Hamstring); Ousmane Dieng (OUT – Finger)
