Bucks vs. Thunder Prediction: NBA Cup Final Odds & Picks for Tonight

It's fitting that two of the NBA's hottest teams will battle tonight to decide the NBA Cup winner as the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) take on the Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). 

The Thunder, who've won five in a row, enter the contest as the NBA Cup odds favorite. However, the Bucks are on a sizzling streak, too, winning 13 of 18 after a sluggish 1-6 start. ;

Both teams are among the NBA championship odds favorites, and our Bucks vs. Thunder prediction expects Milwaukee to pull off the upset on the back of a solid performance from NBA MVP odds front-runner Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Bucks vs. Thunder odds movement: NBA Cup Final

The Thunder opened as 4.5-point favorites to win the NBA Cup final at BetMGM, and that's where the line sits in the hours ahead of tip-off tonight from T-Mobile Arena.

That comes even with 88% of the money on Oklahoma City, a staggering figure considering the star power for the underdog Bucks. That's one reason why we favor Milwaukee with our Bucks vs. Thunder prediction tonight behind its two-time MVP winner.

Bucks vs. Thunder prediction: NBA Cup Final

Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale; odds via our best NBA betting sites and subject to change.

• Who will win: Bucks () ⭐⭐⭐
• My best pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 29.5 points () ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bucks vs. Thunder: Who will win?

Bucks (+172) ⭐⭐⭐

Darvin Ham, the assistant coach for the Bucks (and the head coach of the Lakers last year), doesn’t lose in-season tournament games. So, how could you not take the +172 price tag on the Bucks’ moneyline?

I’m very interested in how the Thunder defend the Bucks in this contest. Oklahoma City has boasted the top-ranked defense this year, but the team lacks the frontcourt size to contain Antetokunmpo.

Milwaukee has been playing much better following its 2-8 start to the season. The Bucks have gone 12-3 since then, including 10 wins over their past 12 outings.

I’m willing to take a plus-money price ahead of a single-elimination tilt that could be more of a toss-up.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 36.76%

My best pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 29.5 points

Getting a points prop below 30 for Antetokounmpo is an early Christmas gift. 

The Milwaukee star leads the league while averaging 32.7 points per game. He's scored 30-plus points in five straight outings and nine of his previous 10.

Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense deserves plenty of respect. But the Thunder don’t boast the personnel to truly slow down Antetokounmpo without Chet Holmgren.

I’m pouncing on Antetokounmpo’s points prop as long as it’s trading below 30.

I used this play as the cornerstone of my Bucks vs. Thunder parlay, and we're envisioning a productive night from Antetokounmpo in our Bucks vs. Thunder NBA player prop picks too.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.38%

Bucks vs. Thunder live odds

Bucks vs. Thunder injuries

Bucks vs. Thunder game info: NBA Cup final

• When: Tuesday, Dec. 17
• Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Where: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
• How to watch: ABC

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