Cavaliers vs. Bucks Odds, NBA Player Props & Score Predictions Tonight: March 9
The Milwaukee Bucks are on the back half of consecutive games after falling to the Orlando Magic yesterday. Milwaukee benefitted from the services of both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo last night, but the two superstars couldn’t secure the win. Let’s dive into today’s Cavaliers vs. Bucks action at Fiserv Forum (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Our Cavaliers vs. Bucks prediction and player props feature a pick for superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in addition to reserve guard Ty Jerome and Brook Lopez.
💰 Best Cavaliers vs. Bucks predictions & NBA player props tonight: March 9
Here are my best Cavaliers vs. Bucks predictions and player props for tonight's NBA matchup, with my pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale. Be sure to check out the rest of our NBA picks along with our guide on how to bet on the NBA.
- Game pick: Cavaliers -8.5 (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Giannis Antetokounmpo player prop pick: Under 29.5 points (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ty Jerome player prop pick: Over 12.5 points (-120 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Brook Lopez player prop pick: Over 1.5 3-pointers (+128 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
📊 Cavaliers vs. Bucks pick & odds: Who will win tonight's NBA matchup?
As of this morning, the Cavaliers are an 8.5-point home favorite over the Bucks. The action will get underway at 8 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. It's unclear who the Bucks will be trotting out this evening, as they played last night and haven’t submitted an injury report.
As a result, I want some early exposure to Cleveland to cover the 8.5 (-105 at BetMGM) in this matchup. If either Lillard or Giannis need to sit, the Cavs should close as larger favorites.
The line has since moved to -7 at some of our best sports betting sites. And as John Ewing of BetMGM notes, an overwhelming percentage of the bets and handle are coming in on the Bucks in the hours before tipoff.
🔢 Cavaliers vs. Bucks odds & betting lines
Here are the latest Cavaliers vs. Bucks odds and betting lines from our best live betting sites.
🎯 Cavaliers vs. Bucks score prediction: Cavaliers 124, Bucks 110
Back-to-back sets haven't been kind to the Milwaukee Bucks this season. They've needed to play 12 games without rest this year, and they’re a measly 3-8-1 against the spread in such contests, which ranks fifth-worst in the NBA. They’re also a fourth-worst 5-13 against the spread when playing with a rest disadvantage.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken advantage of opponents without rest all season. They’re an NBA-best 11-3 against the spread with a rest advantage, clearing their opponents by an average margin of 12.7 (and the spread by an average margin of 4.4). They last played on Friday, so it’s a similar script tonight.
With the Bucks using Giannis for 35 minutes and Lillard for 36 last night, things could get ugly for them against the Eastern Conference leaders this evening. As a result, I predict the Cavaliers will beat the Bucks by a final score of Cavaliers 124, Bucks 110.
Best bet: Cavaliers -8.5 (-105 via BetMGM)
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💰 Best Cavaliers vs. Bucks player prop bet odds & expert picks: March 9
Here are my best Cavaliers vs. Bucks player prop bet odds and expert picks for tonight's NBA matchup. You can also check out our NBA player prop odds tool for the latest NBA odds at the best legal sportsbooks in your region.
🏀 Best Giannis Antetokounmpo prop pick: Under 29.5 Points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -110 via DraftKings ($10 to win $9.09)
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I would have graded this as a five-star play, but both Antetokounmpo and Lillard have shown out offensively when playing without rest this season. However, I expect some regression in that department, especially against Cleveland’s stingy interior defense.
The Cavs are eighth-best in points allowed in the paint per game since the All-Star Break (47.8). They're also 10th on the season in that metric (47.5). The defensive tandem of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley causes some serious problems near the rim, powering them to the second-lowest field-goal percentage allowed in the restricted area since the break (60%).
Giannis has popped off against the Cavaliers this season, scoring 34 in his first game against them and 33 in his second. However, Lillard was out for the latter performance, and his season average against Cleveland is skewed on the higher end.
That’s allowing us to pocket a boatload of value for the Under on 29.5 at -110 on DraftKings. Buy this prop at that price while you can.
📊 Best Giannis Antetokounmpo prop bet odds
🏀 Best Ty Jerome prop pick: Over 12.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -120 via DraftKings ($10 to win $8.33)
It’s been a season to remember for journeyman point guard Ty Jerome. The 27-year-old has finally found a consistent role in Cleveland’s rotation, allowing him to average a career-best 12 points per game. We’re backing him to go over the 12.5 tonight in what projects as a possible blowout, thrusting the bench into higher minutes than usual.
Jerome’s role has expanded throughout the season. He was averaging a steady 11.4 points before the All-Star break. Since then that number has spiked to 15.3. He's logged three 20-plus-point games since the pause and is shooting 47/50/91.
I’ve already discussed Milwaukee’s struggles to cover when playing without rest, and the Bucks are 10-8 to the Over when playing with a rest disadvantage. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 11-3 to the Over with a rest advantage.
Someone is going to score a lot, and with the total for Jerome so low, it’s a savvy move to back him for a significant game.
📊 Best Ty Jerome prop bet odds
🏀 Best Brook Lopez prop pick: Over 1.5 3-pointers ⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: +128 via FanDuel ($10 to win $12.8)
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If you’re looking for a plus-money player prop for tonight’s Cavaliers-Bucks action, look no further than Brook Lopez to go over 1.5 3-pointers. Lopez is averaging 1.8 3-pointers per game this year and 1.7 across three matchups with the Cavaliers. More importantly, he's averaging a pair per game at home.
Lopez’s sharpshooting abilities make him a useful weapon against this Cleveland defense. Unlike other centers, Lopez can add value all over the floor when opposing defenses crash inside to stop Giannis or run to the perimeter to stop Lillard.
The 36-year-old Lopez hasn’t been great when forced into service without rest this year. That's a concern, but Doc Rivers limited him to only 27 minutes against the Orlando Magic last night. He isn’t exactly fresh for this matchup, but Lopez isn’t coming off 36-plus minutes like most of his teammates, so I remain optimistic about his output here.
📊 Best Brook Lopez prop bet odds
🚑 Cavaliers vs. Bucks injuries
Here are the latest injuries for tonight's Cavaliers vs. Bucks matchup, which will update in real time.
📺 How to watch Cavaliers vs. Bucks tonight
📅 Date: Sunday, Mar. 9
🕗 Time: 8 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee)
📺 TV: ESPN
💻 Streaming: N/A
❓ Cavaliers vs. Bucks FAQs
Who is favored to win Cavaliers vs. Bucks?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a heavy moneyline favorite at -325 (76.5% implied odds) to beat the Milwaukee Bucks.
What are the odds for Cavaliers vs. Bucks?
The Cavaliers are a solid 8.5-point favorite against the Bucks. The total sits at 239.5 through BetMGM.
What time is Cavaliers vs. Bucks tonight?
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Milwaukee Bucks at 8 p.m. ET this evening.
How to watch Cavaliers vs. Bucks
Tonight’s Cavaliers vs. Bucks contest will be on ESPN.
🏀 Best NBA betting sites
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