Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and predictons

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) looks to post up against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf (77) in the third quarter at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1) meet in a Central Division game Sunday. Tip-off from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Bucks vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Cleveland won 4-0

Milwaukee beat the Toronto Raptors 122-116 Friday while covering as a 2-point underdog as the Over (235.5) cashed. F Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his great start to the season with 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists while guards Gary Trent Jr. and Cole Anthony both added 20+ points in the win. The Bucks held the Raptors to just 19 points in the opening quarter while also putting up 70 points in the second half.

Cleveland escaped with a 131-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets Friday while failing to cover as an 11.5-point favorite with the Over (231) hitting. G Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points on 10-of-15 shooting while C Jarrett Allen and G Sam Merrill combined for 44 points to carry Cleveland's offense in the win. The Cavs let Brooklyn shoot 51% from the field and 42.2% from deep, but they also forced 20 turnovers which helped overcome a poor defensive night.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!

Bucks at Cavaliers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:01 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Bucks +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Cavaliers -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Bucks +6.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Bucks at Cavaliers key injuries

Bucks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo (toe) probable
F Kyle Kuzma (ankle) questionable
G Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) out

Cavaliers

G Darius Garland (toe) out
F De'Andre Hunter (knee) questionable
F Max Strus (foot) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Bucks at Cavaliers picks and predictions

Prediction

Cavaliers 121, Bucks 119

Moneyline

PASS.

Cleveland is the more talented team and has dominated Milwaukee easily, so the Cavs should have no problem covering here as -250 favorites. However, Cleveland is not worth the risk of backing here as such a heavy favorite, so pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

BET BUCKS +6.5 (-115).

I am not yet sold that this Cleveland team is as good as last year's squad as the defense has been questionable to start the season, letting up 121.5 points per game and also letting up multiple near 40-point quarters. While Milwaukee isn't a great team, the defense is solid and Giannis will always be able to keep the Bucks in any game. Look for shooting from either Trent or F AJ Green and minutes off the bench from Anthony to play a huge factor in the Bucks covering here as well.

Be aware that the Cavs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 matchups against the Bucks.

Over/Under

BET OVER 236.5 (-110).

Both of these squads are supremely talented and both have the potential to put up 120+ points on any given night; both teams are top 11 scoring offenses. On the other side, Cleveland's defense hasn't looked as stout as last season, so Milwaukee's offense will have more success in this matchup than in previous ones. Furthermore, the Over is undefeated for both teams to start the season and has hit in 2 of the last 3 matchups between these squads.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NBA coverage:

This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and predictons

Reporting by Payton Shanks, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect