Emirates NBA Cup Finals Predictions Today: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Odds on December 17

The spotlight shines in Sin City this Tuesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks battle for the right to be called Emirates NBA Cup champions at the packed T-Mobile Arena.

(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

“Oklahoma City made it through the finals following a 111-96 demolition of the Houston Rockets while Milwaukee overcame the Atlanta Hawks to walk away with a 110-102 victory.”

• Early Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks betting lines have combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder as the moderate 4.5-point favorites to win the league’s in-season tournament.
• Both teams have been on fire lately with the Thunder winning nine of their past 12 assignments and the Bucks going victorious in 10 of their last 12.
• Oklahoma City, however, sports a better Against-The-Spread (ATS) slate, having covered the spread in 16 of their 25 games this season.

Will the Thunder continue its run of success against the spread or will Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks overcome the odds and pull off an upset?

That remains to be seen but here’s how the current Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks odds look like as we head into this thrilling matchup that could potentially be decided in the waning seconds.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks DraftKings NBA Odds for December 17

Moneyline

• Oklahoma City Thunder: -185
• Milwaukee Bucks: +154

Spread

• Oklahoma City Thunder: -4.5 (-110)
• Milwaukee Bucks: +4.5 (-110)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 215 (-108)
• UNDER 215 (-112)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

1. Alex Ducas – Back – Day-to-Day
2. Jaylin Williams – Hamstring – Day-to-Day
3. Adam Flagler – Metacarpal Fracture – Out
4. Ousmane Dieng – Finger – Out
5. Chet Holmgren – Hip – Out
6. Nikola Topic – Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Out

Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report

• No Injuries

Best NBA odds for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks

• The Oklahoma City Thunder have continuously delivered against the spread this season, posting an impressive 16-9 ATS slate. The best Oklahoma City Thunder odds to cover the spread are available on DraftKings at -110.
• The Milwaukee Bucks have won 10 of their past 12 games. Bet365 has the best odds for the Bucks to win outright at +165
• Defense always prevails when the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks face off with the under market total hitting three in their last five encounters. The best Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks odds for the under are available on DraftKings at -108.

Why will the Oklahoma City Thunder cover the spread?

Short-handed and undermanned in all sorts, the Oklahoma City Thunder still managed to exceed expectations despite losing key players Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, and Jaylin Williams to injuries.

A lot of the Thunder’s success this season can be attributed to the stellar year of spitfire guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been averaging 30.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.4 rebounds on 51.5% shooting from the field.

• The 26-year old Gilgeous-Alexander was on target on Saturday as he exploded for 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals to help the Thunder beat the Houston Rockets and advance to the Emirates NBA Cup Finals.
• Not to be outdone is versatile center Isaiah Hartenstein who added 21 points and eight rebounds while Jalen Williams pitched in 20 markers on top of five rebounds, and five assists for the Thunder.

Another offensive explosion from Gilgeous-Alexander will surely play a critical role in helping the Thunder secure the trophy but they would also need Hartenstein, Williams, and others to step up especially on the defensive end as they take on the bruising Milwaukee Bucks frontcourt that features Giannis Antetokounmpo.

• Fortunately, Oklahoma City has been extremely solid on the defensive end of the floor lately as evident from their performance versus the Rockets where they recorded 12 steals and four blocks while forcing the latter to commit 16 turnovers.

One thing we’d like to see the Thunder do here is control the boards. Against the Rockets, Oklahoma City was out-rebounded and what’s even worse is they allowed 19 second chance possessions.

This simply won’t cut it against a talented Bucks team that has deadly offensive weapons from multiple ends of the floor.

Should Gilgeous-Alexander continue its hot streak of 30-point games and the Thunder tighten their defensive screws, backing them to cover the 4.5-point spread might be a good play at -110.

Why will the Milwaukee Bucks cover the spread?

The Milwaukee Bucks started the season on a wrong foot, winning just once in their first seven games but they have since picked up the tempo, going victorious in 10 of their last 12.

Even more impressive is the fact that the Bucks were perfect in the Emirates NBA Cup, going 4-0 (win-loss) in group stage action before escaping the Orlando Magic in the quarterfinals and dispatching the Atlanta Hawks in the semis.

• Two-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Giannis Antetokounmpo has remained the driving force for the Bucks offense in the past two NBA Cup games, averaging 34.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and 1.5 steals on an impressive 64.6 shooting from the field.

Antetokounmpo is once again expected to carry the offensive load for the Bucks in the Emirates NBA Cup finals although any scoring explosion from their backcourt, particularly Damian Lillard is a welcome sight as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder next.

• The 34-year old Lillard has played Robin to Antetounmpo’s Batman in the past two games, averaging 26.5 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and two steals while converting 45.7% shots from the field.

One thing we’d like to see Milwaukee continue doing here is dominate the boards. Against the Hawks, the Bucks were all over the boards as they out-rebounded the former and generated six second chance opportunities.

Should the Bucks get another massive contribution from Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and possibly Brook Lopez and control the boards, backing them to win outright is something worth considering at +154 on DraftKings

Final Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks Emirates NBA Cup Finals Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks ML +154

The Oklahoma City Thunder is tied for the second-best record in the league for a reason. They have continuously delivered under pressure and are seemingly on a mission of winning it all this season.

However, I am going out of the limb and picking the more experienced Milwaukee Bucks team to pull off the upset and secure the Emirates NBA Cup title.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard looking like they are at the peaks of their offensive powers and the Bucks fully healthy, I am willing to take a risk on the underdog to pull off the win. Give me the Bucks to win outright.