Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers odds and best bets

These teams are separated by just a half-game in the Central Division standings right now. That is a combination of Milwaukee having more ups and downs than expected as defending champs, and the Cavaliers progressing much more than expected this season.

Both teams look to be missing key pieces for the game Wednesday night. For Milwaukee, there is no bigger loss than Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable), while the Cavaliers are going to be missing two key frontcourt players in Lauri Markkanen and Jarrett Allen. 

Those losses put even more on rookie big man Evan Mobley, who I was looking forward to seeing guarding Giannis, to be honest. He has a very bright future, and he and point guard Darius Garland are going to have strong games against the much more established duo of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday.

Game Info

Milwaukee Bucks (30-19) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022
7:00 PM ET
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Bally Sports Ohio

Betting Odds
Spread: Bucks -4.5, Cavaliers +4.5
Total: 217.5
Moneyline: Bucks -210, Cavaliers +150

Best Bet

Under 217.5

I like the Cavaliers side in this game, too, but the under is the best value Wednesday night. The Cavs are second in the NBA in points allowed and are not a high-scoring team at all, especially not of late. They have not topped 95 points in either of their last two games. They are 7-15-1 O/U 

Allen and Markannen are not dynamic scorers, but compared to their replacements, it is night and day. Dean Wade can make some shots from the outside and Ed Davis can rebound, but that is a lot of scoring with those two out, plus potentially not having Giannis on the floor for the Bucks is always a major factor. Not just in terms of his own scoring, which is elite, but the gravity he has creates opportunities for his teammates, especially on the perimeter.

In the last two Cavaliers games, both wins, neither team got to 100 points. They could definitely make that three in a row. 

Prop To Consider

Jrue Holiday Over 6.5 Assists (+110)

He has missed some time this season, but overall Holiday's second season with the Bucks is seeing an uptick in all of his numbers. This assist total is right at his seasonal average, and when you can get that at a plus price is when you want to strike. Cleveland makes you work on defense, so even though there are probably fewer baskets overall, it takes more work to get them. A close game helps keep his minutes right where you want them to maximize production. Milwaukee is going to want him on the floor opposite Garland all game long.