5 MUST BET Picks for Bucks vs. Lakers | NBA Player Props & Betting Picks | 2/8/22

The Lakers are hoping to ride any momentum from their huge rally against the Knicks as Los Angeles will play host to a much more formidable opponent. The Bucks have won three straight and are hoping to take advantage of the inconsistent nature of the Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as probable but are both expected to play their normal number of minutes. Russell Westbrook is healthy, just wildly inconsistent from the floor. Malik Monk is expected to start again and has been a necessary spark for this Lakers team. Despite their recent overtime win over the Knicks, it was just the fourth Lakers victory in their last 10 games.

The Bucks are healthy, even getting Grayson Allen back tonight, and they are playing balanced basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in scoring in their most recent win over the Clippers but saw all four of the other starters hit double digits. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are providing secondary scoring, but guys like Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton have made it tough for defenses to lag. Keep in mind, the Bucks have won seven of their last eight road games against the West.

Make sure to keep checking OddsShopper, as the status of players can change by the minute. It has everything necessary for NBA betting today. Let’s get into some of the best NBA bets and player props today for the Bucks vs. Lakers matchup.

Best NBA Player Props & Betting Picks | Bucks vs. Lakers

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
Time: 10 p.m. EST
Venue:
Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif.
Coverage: TNT

Best Bucks vs. Lakers NBA Bets Today & Odds Shopping

The easiest place to find the best bets in the NBA is on the one-stop-shop for value and where to place a wager. Simply filter, sort the page and find the best return available across all books.

Under 232.5: -109 (SugarHouse)

This is the second-highest point total on the board, but with a couple of key factors working against any high-scoring affair. OddsShopper found a total that is at least 1 point higher than every other book. Both teams have key players that match up well defensively on each other’s stars: James, Davis and Westbrook versus Middleton, Giannis, and Holiday, which then opens up ancillary options. This game will see plenty of star power, but not everyone is going to live up to the hype. Holiday and Westbrook may cancel out each other’s performances on offense, or James and Middleton may see fewer scoring opportunities.

The last element to attack is recency bias, more from the Bucks putting up a ton of points over their past two games. Each of those contests saw Milwaukee finish with 137 points. The Lakers are better when healthy than the Clippers and Trail Blazers, so expect more effort on defense.

Khris Middleton Under 19.5 Points: -102 (FanDuel)

It has been a recent bump for Middleton when it has come to scoring the basketball, and this matchup against the Lakers will not make it any easier. He is projected by Awesemo to finish with 17.5 points, and OddsShopper has a 67% chance of the prop hitting. The xROI is 20%, and the return is just north of even money. Middleton has failed to hit this number in four straight games, as he continues to struggle from 3. With the Bucks getting their shooters back, it is harder to predict consistent volume for Middleton. He is also going through a major slump, which is a perfect time to swoop in and fade a points total.


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Russell Westbrook Over 15.5 Points: -110 (DraftKings)

Westbrook will not have the easiest of nights going up against Holiday, but Milwaukee should apply some focus to Monk. The latter is not sneaking up on anyone, allowing for Westbrook to see lesser defenders more often than James or Davis. Westbrook struggling from the floor only helps his cause and this prop going over the total. OddsShopper has a 61% chance of Westbrook going over 15.5 points, combined with Awesemo’s free projection of 17.5 points. There is also a decent xROI of 23% on the play. Unlike the previous prop, this one takes advantage of a downswing coming to an end without laying extra juice at the book.

Russell Westbrook Over 6.5 Rebounds: +108 (FanDuel)

Using OddsShopper to sort by xROI in this game, it lands on Westbrook going over his rebound prop. There is also a strong xWin at 66%, but the main attraction is the 37% xROI. Awesemo’s free projection for Westbrook is 7.8 boards, and there is a strong return of +108 on the bet. The Lakers have seen Westbrook go over this number in nine of his last 16 games, there is just volatility in the end result. He has a rebounding advantage over most guards in the NBA and should have a decent time grabbing boards against the Bucks.

Malik Monk 5+ Made 3’s: +370 (FanDuel)

Monk should have the attention of the Bucks but he still will not overtake James and Davis, even Westbrook to a lesser extent. He has taken at least six attempts from 3 in his last six games, allowing for an increase in shot volume no matter the opponent. The Bucks – Lakers stars matching up directly against each other puts far less defensive focus on Monk, no matter how much he may pop up on tape as an open shooter. While Westbrook should clear his point total, it does not mean he will not also struggle, further opening up scoring opportunities for Monk.

There should be a reasonable expectation for more shots tonight against the Bucks, as both teams put up a good number of 3’s. Milwaukee is 4th in the NBA in 3-point attempts, which should bump up the pace for the Lakers, specifically Monk.

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