Pro Basketball Picks: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, 1/15/13, 10:30 PM EST, TV: TWSN
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -6
Opening Total: 211.5
Current Total: 211.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Lakers Spurs NBA Game Preview — The Los Angeles Lakers are 9-3 SU all-time against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center

Milwaukee has won three of its last four games, including a 107-96 victory over the Toronto Raptors as 2.5-point road underdogs Sunday, while going OVER the total for the third time in four contests. The Bucks are 3-1 under interim coach Jim Boylan, who took over for Scott Skiles on the bench. Offensively, the team is led by its backcourt, with Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings combining to average 37.3 points per game. Milwaukee is 11-6 ATS on the road this season, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page.

The Bucks have won back-to-back games over the Lakers after losing six consecutive matchups, which includes a 100-89 victory as 4.5-point home underdogs on Jan. 28, while going OVER the posted total of 183. Milwaukee has won of the better defensive players in the league, with forward Larry Sanders swatting at least one shot in each of the last 23 games. “From where he was just a few months ago to where he is now, I’ve never seen anybody make that sort of progress,” stated Boylan in practice.

Los Angeles snapped a six-game losing streak in collecting a 113-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers as nine-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the total in three consecutive contests. “We realized we don’t have time to fall further behind,” stated Lakers point guard Steve Nash. “We can’t give away games.” He is averaging 10.7 points and 8.8 assists per game. Los Angeles is 17-17 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points the last two-plus seasons, which is something to consider when making your pro basketball picks Tuesday.

The Lakers are 11-9 at Staples Center this year, including a 5-3 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Los Angeles is 9-3 all-time against Milwaukee at this venue, while star guard Kobe Bryant has averaged 24.0 points in 28 games (25 starts) in this series overall. Head coach Mike D’Antoni is one win shy of No. 400 for his career.