Los Angeles Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions March 20th 2025

Bucks Bid for Elusive Road Win in Clash vs. Lakers

The Milwaukee Bucks will attempt to solve their road struggles when they continue their five-game Western Conference trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

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Milwaukee Struggling Away from Home

It will be the second meeting in just over a week between the teams after the Bucks secured a 126-106 home victory over the Lakers on March 13. Since then, Milwaukee (38-30) has lost two of three, including a 104-93 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 points but made just 5 of 16 shots, as the Bucks struggled offensively down the stretch. Kyle Kuzma led Milwaukee with 22 points, continuing his solid play since joining the team at the trade deadline.

A major concern for Milwaukee has been its road record. The Bucks are just 14-18 away from home, making them the only team among the top six in the Eastern Conference with a losing mark on the road. Head coach Doc Rivers has emphasized the need for better late-game execution, as Milwaukee was outscored 26-17 in the fourth quarter against Golden State.

Lakers Riding Hot Streak at Home

Los Angeles (43-25) enters Thursday’s game on a three-game winning streak after a 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Luka Doncic led the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Austin Reaves added 22 points and eight assists.

The Lakers stormed out to a 46-29 lead in the first quarter, allowing them to rest key players down the stretch. Doncic did not play in the fourth quarter, giving him some extra rest as Los Angeles navigates a stretch of six games in eight days.

Even with LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) still sidelined, the Lakers extended their home winning streak to nine games, improving to 28-7 at Crypto.com Arena, the second-best home record in the Western Conference.

Key Matchup: Bucks’ Stars Must Deliver

Milwaukee’s success often hinges on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard dictating the offense. In their previous win over the Lakers, Lillard had 35 points and seven assists, while Antetokounmpo posted 34 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.

However, the Bucks have struggled offensively in clutch situations, with Rivers stressing the need for his stars to be more aggressive late in games.

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Looking Ahead

With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, this matchup holds significant importance. The Bucks need a road win to stay ahead of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Lakers look to keep their strong home form intact.

Los Angeles will try to extend its home winning streak to 10 games, while Milwaukee will aim to snap its two-game road skid and regain momentum before continuing the trip.