The top two teams in the NBA face off Friday night in L.A. as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers (47-13) and Bucks (53-9) have combined to lose just 10 times since Christmas. They’ve won 49 combined times since the holiday and top NBA title odds.

Bookies.com senior handicapper Adam Thompson breaks down the marquee NBA betting matchup and lays out his best bets for the nationally televised hoops event.

Bucks-Lakers Bets to Back

OTHER BETS TO BACK

• Eric Bledsoe points | Over 13.5, -121 (Unibet)
• Anthony Davis Points | Over 30 +118 (PointsBet)

Odds are current as of publication but subject to change. Check out the latest Bucks-Lakers odds here.

PICK 1: Bucks +1

The last time these teams met, Anthony Davis scored 36 points, James had a triple-double … and the Bucks won 111-104 without starting PG Eric Bledsoe. Milwaukee has been an underdog just twice when Antetokounmpo plays – they won by 11 at Toronto and won by 6 at Houston.

PICK 2: Under 228.5 Points

The last five Bucks games have hit Under – they allowed more than 100 points just once in that span. The Under has hit in three of the Lakers’ last five. The Bucks are scoring nearly six points per game less on the road, while the Lakers score less and allow less at home. They combined for only 215 total points in the first matchup, and defense will set the trend early on Friday.

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PICK 3: Bucks Moneyline

The Bucks have a better winning record on the road (25-6) than the Lakers do at home (22-7). Before Monday’s loss at the Heat, Milwaukee had won 11 straight road games with Giannis on the court, by an average of 14.1 ppg. We’re getting a plus bet on a team having one of the NBA’s best seasons ever.

PICK 4: Eric Bledsoe Over 13.5 Points

Giannis will likely make it a key mission to slow down LeBron, while the entire Lakers team will make it a mission to not allow the Greek Freak to singlehandedly beat them. That leaves a door open for Bledsoe, who didn’t play in the first meeting. Bledsoe won’t hesitate to shoot if left open. The Lakers rank 17th in ppg allowed to point guards and have been especially susceptible to driving guards. The physical Bledsoe fits that description.

PICK 5: Anthony Davis Over 30 Points

Davis gets up for big games. In the Lakers’ last 13 games, nine have been against below-.500 teams. Davis has averaged 22.0 ppg. But in the four vs. top competition – the 76ers, Celtics, Nuggets and Rockets, in this case – he has averaged 33.5 ppg and has scored at least 32 in all four. He had 36 points in the first meeting at Milwaukee.

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