NBA Predictions and Best Bets – September 8, 2020

The Milwaukee Bucks are officially on life support. Khris Middleton and Milwaukee’s supporting cast stepped up in a huge way, as the team rallied to win in overtime despite a Giannis Antetokounmpo injury in game four.

Middleton and co. needed late-game heroics to survive another day, and all eyes will be on the status of The Greek Freak. That’s just one game on Tuesday’s NBA betting schedule, though.

Take a gander at what’s on tap at the best basketball sportsbooks.

Milwaukee hopes to stay alive and force a game six, while the night’s other playoff showdown offers a crucial juncture for the Lakers and Rockets.

LeBron James offered spirited play as L.A. tied the series at 1-1 in game two on Sunday, but are the Lakers at risk of falling behind in this series again?

For NBA predictions and top betting picks for Tuesday’s NBA playoff action, read on.

Miami had a chance to kick the Bucks while they were down and missed a golden opportunity. The Bucks could be without Giannis Antetokounmpo – or he’ll at least be at less than 100% – so conventional wisdom suggests Jimmy Butler and co. are the right bet here.

Perhaps that’s true, but the Bucks are an elite betting value (+135 at BetOnline) here, and their backs are firmly against the wall.

I like Milwaukee to continue fighting back and staying alive here, while the pace and offensive upside from both sides puts the Over in play.

I like the Bucks to win, but I’m less interested in buying in the other underdog on this basketball betting slate. Houston flexed their offensive muscle in a big game one upset win, but the Lakers got back to playing good basketball in game two, and may not relent.

Russell Westbrook has not been on top of his game during the playoffs, and so far, the Lake Show has defended him very well. That puts a lot of pressure on James Harden, while Houston has little answer for L.A.’s two stars on the other end of the floor.

L.A. should get the win here and take full control of this series back. That doesn’t mean this game will be a breeze or won’t feature a good amount of scoring, though. I like the Lakers and the Over in this spot.

I don’t know yet what the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo will be, and bettors may want to play the waiting game here. That said, if The Greek Freak is in, Milwaukee’s line could become less appealing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) wears walking boot https://t.co/0sWeCALTQW

— Rotoworld Basketball (@Rotoworld_BK) September 6, 2020

It could also become an insane value bet if he’s out, so pick your poison in that regard.

That said, the Bucks are 5-5 without their superstar on the year. That’s not amazing, but they still averaged over 117 points per game and shoot 38% from long range when he’s out, which understandably means things are spread out a bit more.

Nobody is saying the Bucks are better if The Greek Freak is out, but based on how Miami has shut Giannis down in this series, they actually might get a little more offensive freedom if he’s out or limited.

Milwaukee is up against it here. Miami has been the aggressor, but with the Bucks gaining confidence in the last game and being the best team in basketball, we need to ride them at these prices.

The other game should see the Lakers winning. Their supporting cast has been awful, but The Brow and King James together can destroy this Rockets defense.

L.A. also has more defensive potential in this series, so if they remain focused, I think they’re a lock to win game three, as well as the series. That said, the Rockets have displayed remarkable toughness in both games, and they can get hot from outside at any time. I like Houston to at least make this one interesting.

For all of these wagers, check out the top NBA betting sites for the best odds and bets before putting any money down.