Bucks vs Cavaliers NBA Predictions, Odds, Props & Picks (12/20)

There are only three NBA games scheduled for Friday, including a Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) showdown that’s filled with betting options. If you want to add some of the Bucks vs. Cavaliers action to today’s bet slip, you’ve come to the right place when it comes to predictions and pick recommendations.

Does Milwaukee have what it takes to pull off the upset following its NBA Cup win? Or will Cleveland collect yet another home victory?

2024-25 NBA Game Predictions: 22-17-0 (56.4%)

2024-25 NBA Best Bet + Prop Record: 39-39-0 (50.0%)

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NBA Betting: Bucks vs Cavaliers Tonight (12/20)

Bucks vs Cavaliers Betting Information

• Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks (14-11, 4-7 Away) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4, 14-1 Home)
• Venue & Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH)
• Date: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bucks vs. Cavaliers: NBA TV

Bucks vs Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds

All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, Dec. 20 at 10:20 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Bucks vs Cavaliers Spread

• Milwaukee Bucks +9 (-112)
• Cleveland Cavaliers -9 (-108)

Cavaliers vs Bucks Over/Under

• Over 215.5 Points (-110)
• Under 215.5 Points (-110)

Bucks vs Cavaliers Moneyline

• Milwaukee Bucks +375
• Cleveland Cavaliers -465

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Bucks vs Cavaliers NBA Betting Trends

• Milwaukee is 1-6 straight up in its last seven road games vs. Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 14-1 straight up in its last 15 home games.
• Milwaukee is 4-0-1 ATS in its last five games vs. the Central Division.
• Cleveland is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• The total hit the Over in four of Milwaukee’s last six games on Friday.
• The total hit the Under in five of Milwaukee’s last seven games vs. Cleveland.

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Bucks vs Cavaliers NBA Predictions & Picks (12/20)

The Cavaliers will head into tonight’s looking to take a 3-0 series lead over the Bucks this season.

The first two encounters took place during a home-and-home series at the beginning of November. The Cavaliers notched a 114-113 win over the Bucks in Milwaukee on Nov. 2 before tallying a 116-114 win two nights later at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, improving to 4-1 SU in the last five encounters between these teams.

Things certainly don’t get easier for the Bucks tonight as they’re being forced to return to Cleveland. Unfortunately, road games against the Cavs typically spell disaster for the Bucks, who are 1-6 SU with a minus-13.9 average scoring margin on their last seven trips to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

No matter how you slice it, that’s far from promising for the road team’s outlook tonight. It doesn’t help that the Cavaliers are also 14-1 SU/11-4 ATS at home this season, whereas the Bucks are 5-7 SU/6-6 ATS on the road.

The Cavaliers have been eviscerating the competition at home throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. 

The Bucks’ injury situation will likely lead to an uphill battle tonight, too. Damian Lillard (25.7 PTS/7.5 AST/4.5 REB) has already been ruled out with a calf injury, meaning Milwaukee’s offense will surely take a hit. Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Khris Middleton (illness) are both ‘probable’ to play, however, it’s clear that neither veteran is at 100% at this point.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are in a much better situation in terms of health. Only Isaac Okoro (shoulder) has been ruled out for tonight’s action while Max Strus (ankle) is expected to be a game-time decision.

Given the Bucks’ injury situation, I don’t think there’s any reason to overthink tonight’s showdown. The Cavaliers are going to win this game, much like they did in their first two encounters with the Bucks. Milwaukee kept things close in the first two games, however, I don’t see that happening again without Lillard in the lineup.

Outscoring the Bucksk by nearly 14 PPG in their recent matchups in Cleveland, look for the Cavaliers to win in lopsided fashion by covering the spread.

Bucks vs. Cavaliers NBA Prediction: CLE wins

Best Bucks vs. Cavaliers NBA Bet: CLE -9 (-108)

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Best Bucks vs Cavaliers NBA Player Prop (12/20)

Based on how he’s been shooting lately, it’s a no-brainer to take Donovan Mitchell o3.5 threes made (-104 on SportsBetting) for the best Bucks vs. Cavaliers prop bet tonight.

In his last 16 games, Mitchell is averaging a solid 4.2 three-pointers made while shooting 41.4% from deep. The five-time NBA All-Star finished with at least four threes 11 times during that stretch, equating to a 68.8% success rate. His impressive shooting success is further highlighted by the Over being 6-0 in his last six home games (4.8 3PM, 46.0 3P%).

Mitchell is also averaging 3.8 threes made across his last five meetings with the Bucks, finishing with the Over three times — including twice in the last trio of meetings. With Milwaukee being a bottom-10 team when it comes to defending three-point shots from PGs and SGs, I expect another stellar shooting performance from the former Louisville Cardinal.

Best Bucks vs. Cavaliers Player Prop: Donovan Mitchell o3.5 Threes Made  (-104)

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