Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions March 13th 2025

Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Lakers March 13th 2025

At 7:30 ET, the Lakers will be in Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. This non-conference matchup will be played at Fiserv Forum and can be seen on TNT.

The Bucks are favored by 6 and have a record of 36-28. They are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference and have lost 3 straight games. The Lakers are 40-23 and have lost 2 straight. They are 4th in the Western Conference.

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Lakers vs. Bucks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Thursday, March 13th
• Betting Odds MIL -6, LAL +188 | MIL -226 O/U 225.5

The Lakers Can Win If…

The Lakers dropped to 40-23 on the season following a 111-108 loss to the Nets on Monday. Los Angeles was favored by 5.5 points heading into the game but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 219, just over the pre-game line of 217.5.

After jumping out to a 28-16 lead in the 1st quarter, the Lakers allowed the Nets to get back into the game, losing the 2nd quarter 32-19. The teams played evenly in the 3rd and 4th quarters, with the Lakers trailing 81-79 going into the final period.

Gabe Vincent led the Lakers with 24 points and 6 made threes, shooting 66.7% from deep in their 111-108 loss to the Nets. The Lakers hit 19 threes as a team, connecting at a 47.5% rate, though their overall field goal percentage was just 43.5%.

Luka Dončić contributed a 22-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double despite shooting 30.8% from the field. Austin Reaves and Jordan Goodwin each added 17 points, with Reaves scoring 9 in the 4th quarter and Goodwin adding 11 in the 2nd.

The Lakers’ defense shined in the 1st quarter, holding the Nets to just 16 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, giving up 32 and 33 points, respectively. Despite allowing 111 points, they limited Brooklyn to 41% shooting overall.

However, the Lakers had trouble defending the three, as the Nets hit 18 threes at a 40% clip. Los Angeles also sent Brooklyn to the line 30 times, with the Nets converting 19 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded 4 steals and 4 blocks.

• Through their last three road contests, the Lakers offense has averaged 110 points per game while allowing an average of 107. Los Angeles posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.
• Over their last five games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

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The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks fell to 36-28 on the season after a narrow 115-114 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday. Milwaukee entered the game as +1 point underdogs, and the final score resulted in a push for spread bettors. The total points for the game came in at 229, falling 8.5 points short of the 237.5 O/U line.

Milwaukee went on a 12-0 run, stretching the score from 47-37 to 59-37. However, the Pacers fought back, and the teams entered the 4th quarter tied at 88. Indiana edged out the Bucks by a single point in the final quarter, outscoring them 27-26.

Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 23 points in their 115-114 loss to the Pacers, shooting 81.8% from the field. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Taurean Prince contributed 18 points, hitting 4 threes at a 50% rate.

Lopez scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, while Damian Lillard also added 11 of his 15 points in the 3rd. The Bucks shot 51.2% from the field and made 14 threes at a 38.9% clip.

Defensively, the Bucks allowed 115 points in their loss to the Pacers, who shot 50% from the field. Milwaukee gave up 32 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 3rd but limited Indiana to 25 points in the 2nd quarter and 27 in the 4th.

The Bucks did well defending the three, holding the Pacers to 13 made threes on 33% shooting. They also sent Indiana to the line 18 times, where the Pacers made 14 free throws. Milwaukee finished with 38 defensive rebounds, allowing 5 offensive boards, and recorded 4 steals and 2 blocks.

• In their last ten games at home, the Bucks have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 3-6-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Bucks have gone 4-6 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 6-4.
• In their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Bucks winning this one by a score of 132-89, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Bucks at -6.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 225.5, and our model projects the Lakers and Bucks to reach a combined total of 221 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

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Bucks Look to Snap Skid Against Shorthanded Lakers

Two playoff contenders will try to end their losing streaks when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

The Lakers had won eight straight games before back-to-back losses to Boston and Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the Bucks have dropped three straight, including a heartbreaking 115-114 loss to Indiana on Tuesday, courtesy of a Tyrese Haliburton game-winning four-point play.

With both teams struggling, who will bounce back first?

Lakers Adjusting Without LeBron James

Los Angeles has lost two in a row after their red-hot 8-game winning streak. Their latest defeat came against Brooklyn, 111-108, in a game where LeBron James was absent due to a groin strain.

Coach JJ Redick was disappointed with the team’s defensive effort.

“I don’t think being shorthanded is an excuse for how we played,” Redick said. “We ball-watched all night and gave up too many uncontested shots.”

Lakers’ Key Players in LeBron’s Absence:

• Luka Doncic (24.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 8.0 APG in 12 games with L.A.)
• Anthony Davis (23.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG, anchoring the defense)
• Austin Reaves (17.5 PPG, looking to step up offensively)

The Lakers are also missing Rui Hachimura (knee) for the entire road trip, while Jaxson Hayes (knee) and Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) are questionable.

Bucks Reeling After Heartbreaking Loss

Milwaukee’s three-game losing streak includes a crushing last-second loss to Indiana on Tuesday.

• The Bucks led late but allowed Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning four-point play.
• Turnovers were costly—Milwaukee committed 15 giveaways, something coach Doc Rivers called a major issue.

“I thought our turnovers really hurt us,” Rivers said. “We made mistakes that you just can’t make in a playoff game.”

Bucks’ Key Players Looking to Respond:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.7 PPG, 12.1 RPG, dominating inside)
• Damian Lillard (7.2 APG, leading the offense)
• Brook Lopez (1.9 BPG, a defensive force in the paint)

The Bucks will again be without Bobby Portis (suspension), while Tyler Smith (back) and Chris Livingston (illness) are questionable.

Top Contenders in the East – Who’s Leading? – Find out which teams have the best value.

Lakers vs. Bucks: A Recent Rivalry Heating Up

The Lakers have won the last two meetings, sweeping last year’s season series in thrilling fashion:

• 123-122 win in Los Angeles
• 128-124 double overtime win in Milwaukee

Even though LeBron missed last year’s visit to Milwaukee, Giannis (29 points, 21 rebounds) and Lillard (27 points, 8 assists) led the way for the Bucks.

The Lakers haven’t swept Milwaukee since 2009-10, but they’ll need a huge effort without their star to pull off another upset.

Key Matchups to Watch

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Lakers’ Interior Defense

• The Lakers lead the NBA in field goal percentage in the restricted area (72.3%).
• Lopez and Jericho Sims will be key in limiting Davis and Doncic inside.

Luka Doncic Running the Lakers’ Offense Without LeBron

• Doncic has averaged nearly a triple-double since arriving in L.A.
• Can the Bucks force him into tough shots without a secondary playmaker?

Bucks’ Turnovers vs. Lakers’ Transition Game

• The Bucks’ 15 turnovers cost them against Indiana.
• The Lakers thrive in fast-break opportunities—will Milwaukee clean up its mistakes?

Final Thoughts: Who Breaks the Losing Streak?

The Bucks need to protect the ball and dominate inside to stop their three-game slide.

The Lakers, without LeBron James, will lean on Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis to pull off another big road win.

Will Milwaukee get back on track at home, or can Los Angeles defy the odds without its leader?

Tip-off is Thursday night in Milwaukee.