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Bucks vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read
Mar. 29, 2021
by Jonathan Willis
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Milwaukee will be tested over the next 11 days. The Bucks head west for a six-game road trip where they face both Los Angeles teams, Portland, Golden State, and Dallas.

This is the longest road trip remaining for the Bucks this season, and they will essentially be done playing Western Conference teams after this stretch. They start this tough run against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Bucks vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Bucks vs. Clippers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Clippers -2.5
  • Money-Line: Clippers -140 Bucks +120
  • Total: 231.5

The Bucks travel out west to begin a six-game road trip that starts against the Clippers on Monday. (AP)

Bucks vs. Clippers Current Form-Last Game

The Clippers had a rough stretch from mid-February to mid-March where they went 5-8. They ended up falling to fourth in the Western Conference standings, but they have since won five straight games. The Clips have since surpassed the Lakers and are now just one game behind the Phoenix Suns.

They have won all five of those games by nine points or more, picking up the cover in each of those outings. The Clips are 16-6 SU and 13-9 ATS at home this season.

In their last game, the Clippers bested the 76ers, 122-112. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George led the way as always, but Terance Mann was a major difference maker off the bench. He went 10-12 for 23 points and might be set to take over Lou Williams’ old role.

The Bucks won 13 of 14 games between February 19 and March 24. That has helped Milwaukee make up some ground in the Eastern Conference race, but the Bucks are still behind Philadelphia and Brooklyn in the standings.

Milwaukee has dropped its last two games. The Bucks fell to Boston at home on Friday and then lost Saturday’s game with the New York Knicks. They opened as a double-digit favorite in that game, but they closed as a short underdog as it was announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Donte DiVincenzo would all be sitting out.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Jordan Nwora tried to lead Milwaukee to a win regardless and nearly did so before falling 102-96.

The first game between these two teams saw the Bucks beat the Clippers 105-100. The "Greek Freak" had 36 points and 14 rebounds in the victory, while Paul George and Patrick Beverley both struggled in the loss.

Bucks vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

  • Feb. 28, 2021 - Bucks 105 vs. Clippers 100, Milwaukee -1.5, Under 231.5

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 29-16 SU, 20-25 ATS, 27-17-1 OU
  • Road: 11-9 SU, 7-13 ATS, 11-8-1 OU

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 6.4 APG. He is turning the ball over a bit much (3.7 TO per game), but he is one of the best scorers in the NBA. Antetokounmpo is making 55.8% of his field goals, yet he is not a solid perimeter shooter (30.0% from three-point range).

The second-best player on the Bucks for the past few seasons has been Middleton. He is averaging 20.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 5.4 APG as an all-around contributor.

Middleton is making 49.3% of his field goals and 43.9% of his threes on the season. He has scored at least 23 points in three of his last four games ahead of Monday night’s clash with the Clips.

Holiday has given the Bucks a boost. He was acquired in exchange for Eric Bledsoe and some draft picks, and while he hasn’t been as good as advertised, Holiday has been an improvement over Bledsoe.

The former New Orleans Pelican is averaging 15.9 PPG and 5.1 APG while making 49.1% of his field goals and 38.0% of his threes.

Milwaukee ranks third in the NBA in effective field goal percentage. The Bucks lead the league in scoring (119.3 PPG), as they sit fourth in three-point percentage and eighth in two-point percentage. They do an excellent job cleaning up the boards too, ranking first in defensive rebounding.

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 31-16 SU, 27-20 ATS, 27-19-1 OU
  • Home: 16-6 SU, 13-9 ATS, 14-8 OU

Leonard is looking to take the Clippers to at least the Western Conference Finals. This franchise has never made it to a conference final over the course of its history, so that would be quite the achievement.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP is best on the team in PER (27.56), points (26.0 PPG), and steals (1.8 SPG). Leonard is averaging 26.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 4.8 APG, and he remains one of the best shutdown defenders in the league. He is also making 51.7% of his field goals and 39.5% of his threes on the year for the Clips.

George got off to a great start this season. He was just as efficient as Leonard from the floor for the first two months, but he has run into some issues in March.

George is only making 40.7% of his field goals and 33.8% of his three-pointers this month. The former Indiana Pacer has just one game with 25 points or more since the All-Star Break.

Marcus Morris is performing well off the bench. Morris is averaging 12.3 PPG as the third-best scorer on the Clippers. He is making 46.2% of his threes as the best perimeter shooter of the bunch, but this team is full of very efficient scorers.

The Clippers lead the league in three-point percentage (41.6%) as George, Morris, Reggie Jackson, Nic Batum, and Beverley are all making at least 40% of their threes. Los Angeles is the most efficient team from the free throw line and this is the second-most efficient offense in the league.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

  • SF Giannis Antetokounmpo: Knee - Probable
  • SG Khris Middleton: Hip - Probable
  • PG Jrue Holiday: Knee - Questionable
  • SG Donte DiVincenzo: Foot - Questionable
  • PF Bobby Portis: Quarantine - Questionable

L.A. Clippers

  • PG Rajon Rondo: Shoulder - Questionable
  • C Serge Ibaka: Back - Questionable
  • PG Patrick Beverley: Knee - Questionable

Bucks vs. Clippers Prediction

The Bucks gave their best players an extra day of rest heading into this road trip. That should give them an extra boost as the Clippers are without some of their key contributors.

Not having Beverley and Serge Ibaka will hurt, and Rajon Rondo won’t be available either. That will help the Bucks start their road trip with a win.

Score Prediction: Bucks 115, Clippers 111
Best Bet: Milwaukee

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