Ricky Dimon
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We have a nine-game slate in the NBA on Sunday and it includes two on national television. Before the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers are going up against the Milwaukee Bucks. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Clippers-Bucks, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Bucks -4.5 alternate spread (+138)
Over 235.5 (-110)
Giannis Antetokounmpo to record 6+ assists (-146)
Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 three-pointers made (+126)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here. We feel good about the Bucks’ chances to take care of business in a high-scoring game, and Giannis Antetokounmpo racking up a fair amount of assists would obviously go a long way in both of those efforts. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. Kawhi Leonard draining more than a couple of threes would help the over, but it doesn’t correlate with a Milwaukee win. Still, it’s not like the Bucks can’t get the job done even if Leonard dials long distance with some consistency.
Bucks -4.5 alternate spread (+138)
The Bucks had already seemed to turn a corner this season and now the rich are getting richer. Jrue Holiday, who has not played since Feb. 6, is expected to be back in the lineup on Sunday. Milwaukee has won four in a row and three of those victories have come by at least 13 points. Antetokounmpo has looked every bit like his two-time MVP self, leading his team in points and rebounds in 13 straight games–during which he has averaged 31.3 ppg and 12.8 rpg. The Clippers are allowing opponents to shoot 46.8 percent from the field and better than 60 percent from inside of five feet. That does not bode well for their aspirations to slow down the Bucks.
Over 235.5 (-110)
If Los Angeles focuses on containing Antetokounmpo (which isn’t an easy proposition no matter how you defend him), Milwaukee has plenty of other options with which to attack—especially now that Holiday is back on the floor. Head coach Mike Budenholzer’s squad features seven players averaging at least 9.7 ppg. Eight players in the Bucks’ regular rotation are shooting better than 38 percent from three-point range. Both of these teams rank in the top three in offensive efficiency, the top four in three-point percentage, and the top 11 in assists per game all while doing a good job of limiting turnovers. At the same time, neither one of these teams is a defensive powerhouse.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to record 6+ assists (-146)
The Bucks may have Holiday back, but keep in mind he is score-first point guard as opposed to a pass-first point guard. Antetokounmpo’s assist total might actually improve now that he has another significant offensive weapon playing alongside him. In the last eight games played by Holiday prior to his three-week absence, the Greek Freak averaged 7.0 apg. Continuing to distributed the ball well, Antetokounmpo has recorded at least eight assists in five of the last seven games.
Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 three-pointers made (+126)
Milwaukee’s defense struggles primarily come at the perimeter. The Bucks allow the fourth-most three-pointers per game (14.4) and opponents have the eighth-best three-point percentage in the association (38.0). Leonard has connected on at least three triples in three of the past four outings, including five against Brooklyn last Sunday.
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