The Milwaukee Bucks host the Los Angeles Lakers in a battle of NBA title contenders on Wednesday. Milwaukee is 6-8 this season, with Los Angeles entering at 8-7 through the first 15 games of the 2021-22 campaign. LeBron James (abdominal) remains out for the Lakers. Khris Middleton (personal) is probable to return from a multi-game absence for the Bucks, with Brook Lopez (back) and Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) out for Milwaukee.

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. Caesars Sportsbook lists Milwaukee as an eight point favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 215.5 in the latest Lakers vs. Bucks odds. Before you make any Bucks vs. Lakers picks and NBA predictions, see what SportsLine’s advanced computer model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $9,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 5 of the 2021-22 NBA season up over $900 on all top-rated NBA picks this season. It’s also on a stunning 113-75 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread that dates back to last season. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Bucks and locked in its coveted NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and trends for Bucks vs. Lakers: 

• Lakers vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -8
• Lakers vs. Bucks over-under: 215.5 points
• Lakers vs. Bucks money line: Bucks -360, Lakers +285
• LAL: The Lakers are 5-10 against the spread in 2021-22
• MIL: The Bucks are 6-8 against the spread this season

Why the Lakers can cover

Los Angeles has plenty of star power, even without James available to play. Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the NBA, averaging 24.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and he anchors the defense of the Lakers. Russell Westbrook has an impressive pedigree as well, averaging 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. Offensively, the Lakers are a top-10 team in field goal shooting (46.2 percent), free throw attempts (20.6 per game) and assists (23.9 per game), and Los Angeles is above-average from beyond the 3-point arc, making 35.3 percent of attempts. 

On the defensive end, the Lakers have been effective in havoc creation, ranking No. 3 in the NBA in blocked shots (6.1 per game) and No. 8 in the NBA in steals (8.9 per game). Los Angeles has a background of effectiveness on defense, dating back to the 2020 NBA title and beyond, and the Lakers are well-coached with plenty of size and physicality.

Why the Bucks can cover

Milwaukee is very potent on both ends of the floor, but the Bucks can also benefit from the weaknesses of Los Angeles. The Lakers are second-worst in the NBA in turnovers, committing 17.3 per game, and Los Angeles is just No. 24 in the NBA in making 74.1 percent of free throw attempts. The Lakers are a bottom-10 rebounding team on both ends, and Los Angeles is also below-average in free throw rate allowed defensively. 

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the centerpiece, averaging 26.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, and Milwaukee is a top-10 team in 3-pointers (14.6 per game), 3-point accuracy (35.5 percent) and turnovers (13.8 per game) on offense. The Bucks are also holding opponents to just 33.1 percent from 3-point range, and Milwaukee is a top-10 team in free throw prevention.

How to make Bucks vs. Lakers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 207 points The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s Lakers vs. Bucks picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Bucks vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Lakers vs. Bucks spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.