Cavaliers vs Bucks Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Betting (1/26): Cleveland Stays Cursed at Fiserv Forum

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Friday, Jan. 26 is filled with NBA action as eight matchups are scheduled for tonight — including a showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-16) and Milwaukee Bucks (31-13) at 8 p.m. ET.

Good morning.@Jockey x #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/vQAxE0OQGd

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 26, 2024

Tonight’s game marks the second in a row between these teams at Fiserv Forum. They previously collided in Milwaukee on Wednesday as the Bucks notched a 126-116 win over the Cavaliers behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double (35 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists) while Damian Lillard tallied 28 points.

There’s quite a big distance between these teams when it comes to winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy this spring. While Milwaukee has the third-best 2023-24 NBA Finals odds (+525), Cleveland is much further down the list in a tie for 16th (+6600), per BetOnline’s future markets.

Without wasting any more time, let’s get into my Cavaliers vs. Bucks predictions and best bets.

Cavaliers vs Bucks NBA Betting Tonight (1/26)

Cavaliers vs Bucks Matchup Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers (26-16, 11-8 Away) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (31-13, 20-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, WI)
• Date: Friday, Jan. 26, 2023
• Game Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Bucks: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Wisconsin

Cavaliers vs Bucks Odds & Spread

Bucks vs. Cavaliers odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, Jan. 26 at 10:44 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Cavaliers vs Bucks Spread

• Cleveland Cavaliers +5.5 (-105)
• Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-115)

Bucks vs Cavaliers Over/Under

• Over 237.5 Points (-115)
• Under 237.5 Points (-105)

Cavaliers vs Bucks Moneyline

• Cleveland Cavaliers (+185)
• Milwaukee Bucks (-215)

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Cavaliers vs Bucks NBA Betting Trends

• Cleveland is 1-10 straight up in its last 11 road games vs. Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee is 17-3 straight up in its last 20 home games.
• Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last six road games.
• Milwaukee is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• The total hit the Under in four of Cleveland’s last six games.
• The total hit the Under in six of Milwaukee’s last 10 games vs. Cleveland.

Cavaliers vs Bucks Prediction & Picks (1/26):

The Bucks hardly broke a sweat during Wednesday’s collision between these Central Division rivals. They scored 126 points on .500/.379/.893 splits and even won the rebounding battle 46-39, taking advantage of the Cavaliers’ depleted frontcourt following Tristan Thompson’s 25-game suspension. That’s without mentioning how Milwaukee led by as many as 21 points while Cleveland didn’t lead for a single second.

Nevertheless, the one-sided nature of this rivalry isn’t anything new. Heading into tonight’s contest, the Bucks are 12-6 SU in their last 18 collisions with the Cavaliers which includes two victories in three previous meetings this season.

Milwaukee’s dominance over their rivals is even more evident at Fiserv Forum, where it boasts a 10-1 SU record across the last 11 home meetings with Cleveland. The Bucks haven’t lost at home to the Cavaliers since Dec. 18, 2021, winning the last three meetings in Milwaukee by an average of 13.3 points.

The Bucks are 10-1 SU in their last 11 home games vs. the Cavaliers.

In fact, Fiserv Forum has been one of the least welcoming environments for visitors this season. The Bucks are 20-4 SU as the home team this season, averaging the second-most points, fourth-most field goals made, and seventh-most rebounds with the ninth-best average scoring margin.

For reference, the Cavaliers rank 19th, 25th, fifth, and 16th in those categories on the road.

Cleveland also hasn’t had a ton of success against the division this season, going 5-4 SU vs. Central opponents while Milwaukee is 9-6 SU in that regard. Having said that, the Bucks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven Eastern Conference matchups while the Cavaliers are 7-1 ATS against their last eight East foes.

Wednesday’s tilt proved that the Cavaliers can’t handle the Bucks in Milwaukee and I doubt much has changed over the last two days. The Bucks are juggernauts at home and have only lost to the Cavs at Fiserv Forum once since December 2017 —  nearly seven years. Antetokounmpo will take advantage of Cleveland’s banged-up frontcourt again as he leads Milwaukee to another home victory.

It’s also a no-brainer to take the Bucks on the 5.5-point spread. Not only did they win by 10 points two nights ago, but the Bucks own a plus-9.6 average scoring margin in their last 11 home encounters with the Cavaliers. I just don’t see Cleveland keeping this within two possessions after what happened on Wednesday.

Cavaliers vs Bucks Prediction: MIL wins

Best Cavaliers vs Bucks NBA Bet: MIL -5.5 (-115)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this pick over on BetOnline

Best Cavaliers vs Bucks NBA Prop Bet (1/26)

I’m going with the Over on Giannis Antetokounmkpo’s 12.5-rebound total for my favorite Cavaliers vs. Bucks player prop.

With the Cavaliers’ frontcourt hanging on by a thread, Antetokounmpo racked up 18 rebounds against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. What’s even more impressive is that showing comes one game after he recorded a 17-rebound performance against the Detroit Pistons. He’s now averaging 13.0 rebounds across his last nine games, finishing with the Over four times.

Considering how he’s finished with at least 14 rebounds in his last three meetings with the Cavaliers, it’s safe to say that the “Greek Freak” is a good candidate to come through on this prop.

Best Cavaliers vs Bucks Prop Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo o12.5 Rebounds (-117)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on this pick over on BetOnline

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