Milwaukee Bucks vs Sacramento Kings January 14th 2025

Two of the hottest teams in the NBA will square off in a non-conference matchup tonight at 8:00 ET. The Sacramento Kings (20-19) will put their seven-game win streak on the line against the Milwaukee Bucks (20-17), who are favored by 2.5 points.

This game will be played at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and can be seen on NBCS. The over/under line for this matchup is currently sitting at 228.5 points.

Kings vs. Bucks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Tuesday, January 14th
• Betting Odds MIL -2.5, SAC +112 | MIL -133 O/U 228.5

The Kings Can Win If…

The Kings improved to 20-19 on the season with a 124-119 win over the Bulls on Sunday. Sacramento entered the game as 5-point favorites and the final score resulted in a push for bettors. The total points for the game were set at 238, and the teams combined for 243 points, going over the line by 5 points.

Sacramento went into the 4th quarter with a 97-95 lead after outscoring the Bulls 36-32 in the 3rd quarter. They held the Bulls to 24 points in the final period while scoring 27 points to close out the win.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points and 9 rebounds in their win over the Bulls, hitting 4 threes at a 50% rate. Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 80% from the field, while DeMar DeRozan contributed 21 points.

The Kings shot 49.5% overall and made 13 threes at a 33.3% clip. Fox and DeRozan each scored 9 points in the 4th quarter, while Malik Monk added 18 points, including 7 in the opening period.

Despite giving up 119 points, the Kings managed to pull out a win against the Bulls. Sacramento allowed 30 points in the 1st quarter, 33 in the 2nd, and 32 in the 3rd, but tightened up in the 4th, giving up just 24 points to secure the victory.

The Kings struggled to defend the three, with the Bulls hitting 18 threes at a 48% clip. Sacramento sent Chicago to the line 20 times, where they made 15 free throws. The Kings grabbed 42 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 4 steals and 3 blocks.

• In their last three road games, Sacramento has averaged 122 points per game while allowing 105. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-0 while going 2-0-1 vs. the spread.
• The last ten games that Sacramento was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 4-6 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Kings have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 4-0-1 vs. the spread.

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks fell to 20-17 on the season after a 140-106 road loss to the Knicks on Sunday. Milwaukee entered the game as +5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 34 points. The total score of 246 points exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 228 by 18 points.

New York took control with a 12-0 run, stretching the score from 75-62 to 87-62. Milwaukee couldn’t recover, as the Knicks outscored them 32-17 in the 4th quarter.

In their 140-106 loss to the Knicks, the Bucks struggled offensively, shooting just 29.4% from three-point range, connecting on only 10 threes. Overall, they shot 45.7% from the field, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Damian Lillard added 22 points, hitting 2 threes at 28.6%, while Khris Middleton contributed 16 points, making 2 threes at 50%. Giannis scored 13 of his 24 points in the 1st quarter, adding another 10 in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Bucks struggled throughout the game, giving up 140 points to the Knicks, including 36 in the 1st quarter and 39 in the 2nd. Milwaukee allowed New York to shoot 58% from the field.

The Knicks also connected on 18 threes, shooting 43% from beyond the arc. The Bucks sent New York to the line 24 times, where they made 20 free throws. Milwaukee finished with 24 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 3 blocks.

• Through their last five home games, Milwaukee has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 3-2 while averaging 114 points per game.
• The Bucks have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +2.5, the Kings is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 228.5 and our model has the Kings and Bucks finishing with a combined 263 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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Kings Look to Keep the Streak Alive Against the Bucks

The Sacramento Kings are on fire right now. They’re rolling into Milwaukee on a seven-game winning streak and aiming to close out their road trip with a perfect record. But here’s the catch—they haven’t won in Milwaukee since 2015.

Kings: Riding the Wave

Sacramento’s been cooking lately, and it’s not just one player getting the job done—it’s a total team effort.

• Balanced Attack: DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray have all been stepping up, each averaging over 16.5 points during the trip.
• De’Aaron Fox is Back: Fox returned from injury Sunday and dropped 26 points in a solid win over Chicago.
• Coach Doug Christie’s Strategy: Christie has been keeping practices light to make sure the team stays fresh. Players are loving it, and it’s showing on the court.

Sacramento did finally snap a 15-game losing streak to Milwaukee last season with a big win at home. Now they’re looking to end their Milwaukee drought, too.

Bucks: Ready to Defend Home Court

Milwaukee isn’t just going to let Sacramento waltz in and take a win. The Bucks have been dominant at home against the Kings, winning their last eight matchups in Milwaukee.

• Giannis Doing Giannis Things: The league’s top scorer (31.4 PPG) has been on a tear, with nine straight double-doubles. He’s a force, plain and simple.
• Home Advantage: The Bucks love playing at home, and last season they needed every bit of it to edge the Kings in an overtime thriller.
• What They’re Saying: “You’ve got to beat the good teams, not just the OK ones,” said Khris Middleton. The Bucks know Sacramento is legit, and they’re ready for the challenge.

What to Watch

1. Giannis vs. Sabonis:
   • This is the marquee matchup. Sabonis, the league’s top rebounder (14.2 RPG), has been a double-double machine, but he’ll have his hands full with Giannis.
2. Kings’ Depth vs. Bucks’ Star Power:
   • Sacramento’s balanced scoring attack will test Milwaukee’s defense, while the Bucks will rely heavily on their superstar duo of Giannis and Middleton.
3. Fresh Legs vs. Home Court:
   • The Kings have been thriving under Christie’s lighter practice schedule, but Milwaukee’s home-court edge is a big factor.

What’s on the Line

For the Kings, this game is about keeping the streak alive and showing they can hang with one of the East’s top teams. For the Bucks, it’s a chance to bounce back from a tough loss and remind everyone why they’re so tough at home.

Prediction

Sacramento’s momentum and depth make them dangerous, but Milwaukee at home, with Giannis doing his thing, is a tall order. Expect a close game, but the Bucks might just hold onto their home streak in this one.