The Cleveland Cavaliers (53-10) and Milwaukee Bucks (36-26) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Cavaliers are 9-point favorites over the Bucks on the spread (Cavaliers -9), with the over/under set at 237.5 total points. Cleveland is a -380 favorite to win outright, while Milwaukee is +300 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 9.
Cavaliers vs. Bucks Picks, Prediction
Spread
My Cavaliers vs. Bucks best bet is on Milwaukee to cover the spread at +9.5, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. As always, be sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
I'm staying away from the moneyline market in this spot.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Bucks +9.5 (-115)
Cavaliers vs. Bucks Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9 -108 | 238 -112o / -108u | -380 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9 -112 | 238 -112o / -108u | +300 |
- Cavaliers vs. Bucks spread: Cavaliers -9
- Cavaliers vs. Bucks over/under: 238 points
- Cavaliers vs. Bucks moneyline: Cavaliers -380, Bucks +300
- Cavaliers vs. Bucks best bet: Bucks +9.5 (-115)
Cavaliers vs. Bucks Preview
When playing the Orlando Magic, the game is often a grind. The Bucks found that out last night as they scored just 47 points in the first half and had to rally from a 16-point deficit in the second half. They made a valiant effort, but the comeback fell just short. Damian Lillard missed a game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer as the Bucks fell 111-109. Lillard had 26 points and seven rebounds, while Antetokounmpo had 37 points and 11 rebounds.
With the Bucks being on the second night of a back-to-back, keep an eye on the injury report for tonight's game. The good news for them is this one will not involve travel. If the Bucks are at full strength tonight, they may find the pace much more to their liking against Cleveland, with the total being a clear indication.
Milwaukee is eighth in pace this season, and Cleveland comes in right behind them in ninth. The two teams are also in the top half of the NBA in offensive rating, with the Cavaliers pacing the league. Despite Milwaukee's loss last night, this matchup will still feature two top-form teams. The Bucks have won eight of their last 10 games, while the Cavaliers have won 13 straight games. This is the third time Cleveland has won 12 or more games in a row this season, but on Friday, it needed to escape the lowly Hornets.
With under six minutes left to go, the Cavaliers trailed by nine points. They finished the game on a 25-15 run to eke out a 118-117 victory. Donovan Mitchell did not have his best shooting game (6-for-19 from the field) but led the way with 24 points. Darius Garland battled foul trouble but finished with 20 points, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen posted double-doubles. During their winning streak, the Cavaliers are averaging 126.1 points per game.
Cavaliers vs. Bucks Prediction
The Cavaliers have been a wagon to back all season at 40-22-1 against the spread. They have also won seven of the last meetings against the Bucks. However, as this spread approaches double digits, the number is too big to back them here.
Of the Cavaliers' seven recent victories over the Bucks, just three have been by a double-digit margin, including one that Antetokounmpo did not play in. Two of Cleveland's victories this season have come by three combined points. Milwaukee is also 3-2 ATS as a home underdog this season and may be looking to send a message with the Cavaliers being a possible second-round opponent as the standings hold right now. If Antetokounmpo plays today, I expect Milwaukee to be very competitive and cover this spread.
I will also be backing Antetokounmpo in today's same-game parlay. He enters tonight's contest with 25 points in each of his last six games. He has also scored 25 points in eight of his last 10 games against the Cavaliers.
He has often been matched by Mitchell, who has scored 25 points in nine of his last 12 games against Milwaukee. He finished with 23 points in two of the three misses as well. Mitchell will also set up Mobley several times, but the big man is an emerging playmaker himself. Mobley has had at least three assists in eight of his last 10 games and in each of his last four games against the Bucks.
Best Bet: Bucks +9.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo 25 Points
- Donovan Mitchell 25 Points
- Evan Mobley 3 Assists
Parlay Payout: +210 at DraftKings
Bucks vs Cavaliers Betting Trends
