Bucks vs. Thunder NBA expert final score prediction and odds for Friday, April 12 (Lay the big number with OKC)
The injury bug has bitten the Milwaukee Bucks at the worst possible time. Milwaukee has a lengthy injury report heading into Friday’s road tilt against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are double-digit favorites in the matchup. Milwaukee holds just a one-game lead over the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is still just one game back of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and currently sits in the No. 3 slot while in a tie with the Timberwolves. The Thunder must handle business on Friday, but are they worth the investment as such heavy chalk? Here’s the betting preview for the matchup with a pick.
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Bucks vs. Thunder odds, spread and total
Bucks vs. Thunder how to watch
- Date: Friday, April 12
- Game time: 8 p.m. EST
- Venue: Paycom Center
- How to watch (TV): NBA TV
- Bucks record: 49-31
- Thunder record: 55-25
Bucks vs. Thunder injury report
Milwaukee Bucks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (soleus strain): out
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo (hamstring): probable
- MarJon Beauchamp (ankle): questionable
- Jaylin Galloway (ankle): out
- AJ Green (ankle): out
- Brook Lopez (rest): questionable
- Damian Lillard (adductor soreness): doubtful
- Khris Middleton (ankle): questionable
- Bobby Portis (rest): questionable
Oklahoma City Thunder
- No injuries to report
Bucks vs. Thunder key players to watch
Milwaukee Bucks
Patrick Beverley: Now inserted into the Milwaukee starting lineup down the stretch with injuries and rest to other players, Beverley has turned in back-to-back quality nights in a pair of Bucks’ victories. Beverley notched a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double in Tuesday’s win over Boston and was an all-around contributor (13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) in Wednesday’s win over Orlando.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Josh Giddey: The second-year guard continues to be a key facilitator for the highest-scoring offense in the Western Conference. Giddey has dished out 7.6 assists over his last eight games. He has a pair of triple-doubles during that stretch and is coming off a 20-point, 12-rebound performance (to go with seven dimes) in Wednesday’s blowout win over the Spurs.
Bucks vs. Thunder prediction and pick
Giannis Antetokounmpo jumps out on the injury report but the Bucks have been even worse without Damian Lillard in the lineup. Lillard is doubtful to play Friday night along with a slew of key players for the Bucks. Without Lillard, Milwaukee is 1-7 straight up this season with double-digit losses to top-tier teams (112-97 to Orlando and 129-105 to Minnesota).
Milwaukee already has a below-average defense that is No. 21 in scoring (116.3 points per game) and 18th in overall net rating. The Bucks are projected to be without multiple starters and with a limited bench, it’s hard to see how they can slow down one of the best offenses in basketball, which is at full strength heading into Friday’s matchup.
Oklahoma City is No. 7 in the NBA in points in the paint and Milwaukee is 20th in allowing buckets near the hoop. With so many of its rim protectors trending toward not suiting up, Oklahoma City should have free reign at the rim to run up the score. Lay the points with the Thunder, a team motivated to stack up these last two wins of the regular season in a fight for the No. 1 spot in the west.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.