Bucks vs. Cavaliers Prediction and Odds (Expect High-Scoring Finale)

The 51-30 Milwaukee Bucks take on the 43-38 Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA season finale today at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Milwaukee currently has the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but may be incentivized to fall to the No. 3 seed to avoid a potential first-round matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.

Cleveland, meanwhile, needs win and a Brooklyn loss to jump up to the No. 8 seed but is locked into the play-in tournament.

The Cavaliers have back-to-back double-digit wins over the Bucks and have the clear motivational edge today. Can they capitalize to earn a convincing win or will Milwaukee hang tough?

Let's check in on the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to find some value in this Bucks vs Cavaliers matchup:

Bucks vs Cavaliers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Bucks +7.5 (-108)
• Cavaliers -7.5 (-108)

Moneyline:

• Bucks: +270
• Cavaliers: -340

Total:

• 226.5 (Over -108/Under -108)

Bucks vs Cavaliers Prediction and Pick

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton today to give them rest ahead of the playoffs, while the Cavaliers recently welcomed Evan Mobley back to the lineup.

Cleveland is on a dreadful 2-9 against the spread (ATS) stretch, but with the lack of motivation Milwaukee has in this one I can't trust recent stats.

Instead, I expect lackadaisical defense from the Bucks and plenty of open shots for the Cavaliers. You may think that means we should take Cleveland, but their defense has been fairly dreadful of late as well.

As a result, I'm looking to the over for value. Both teams want to avoid injury before the playoffs, so that'll mean fewer physical fouls and easier lanes to the basket. I expect a lot of high-scoring games as we close the NBA regular season today and this one is no different.

Give me the over as both squads just want to make it through unscathed.

Pick: Over 226.5 (-108)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.