Milwaukee Bucks 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Milwaukee Bucks’ season ended in a first-round playoff exit for the second consecutive campaign.

NBA futures odds are available to bet online at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including basketball odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Milwaukee Bucks Futures Odds

Win Total: 50.5

Central Division: -125

Eastern Conference: +1400

NBA Championship: +700

The Bucks’ NBA Finals odds are +1400 after being +900 or better in the preseason for five straight seasons. 

Milwaukee Bucks Offseason Moves

The Bucks added Delon Wright and Gary Trent Jr. to bolster their backcourt depth. They also signed Taurean Prince.

Milwaukee Bucks Additions

Milwaukee Bucks Departures

Milwaukee Bucks 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 50.5 Wins (+100)

I predict that the Bucks will win over 50.5 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to average at least 30 points and 60% shooting in a season, making 690 of his 924 shot attempts within five feet of the basket, speaking to how hard he is to stop when he gets near the rim.

Giannis' 251 dunks last year led the NBA.

For #NBADunkWeek… here's ALL of 'em. pic.twitter.com/EYElkjNHaP

— NBA (@NBA) August 21, 2024

The Greek Freak’s strength, length, long strides, driving skills, and ability to go to a Eurostep, spin move, or turnaround jumper give him all the tools necessary to dominate. The two-time MVP is also adept at filling the lane, cutting to the basket, and going vertical for alley-oops. As a defender, you don’t want to have the burden of trying to stop Antetokounmpo coming down the lane with a head full of steam.

Furthermore, the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year’s long strides, length, speed, lateral ability, and incredible reach allow him to come up with chase-down blocks, even if his opponent gets an extra step on him, and defend multiple positions on the drive and out on the perimeter. His 6-foot-11, 242-pound frame of pure muscle also helps him serve as a rim protector down low. 

Damian Lillard did not shoot the ball as well as he has for the greater part of his career last season despite a significant reduction in shot attempts.

Lillard was brought in hoping to alleviate the offensive pressure on Antetokounmpo and bring a shot creation skill set that was lacking on Milwaukee’s roster, which includes a range that extends out to the logo and the ability to attack the defence off the dribble. 

Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Lillard deal and later rerouted to the Boston Celtics.

Holiday’s otherworldly defence and leadership were sorely missed last season, but the Bucks hope Lillard can make at least some improvements on that side of the ball as he gets acclimated to his new environment, and they also brought in Wright and Trent Jr. to replace some of what Holiday gave them.

It took a while for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to figure out their fit as pick-and-roll partners despite how dangerous they can be in those actions, but with a season under their belt as teammates and another training camp in the books, expect to see Antetokounmpo serve as Lillard’s roll man more often, which will lead to more 3-point opportunities for Lillard, driving lanes for Antetokounmpo, or open shots in the corner for their teammates.

Khris Middleton also thrives as a pick-and-roll partner with Antetokounmpo, as Middleton’s deadly jump shooting off the dribble in the mid-range and behind the arc, combined with his size and strength prevent defences from going under Antetokounmpo’s screens, thus giving Antetokounmpo easy access to roll to the basket.

Brook Lopez’s screens, 3-point shooting, rim protection, and post-scoring abilities will also be vital for the Bucks’ championship chances this season. 

Bobby Portis’ scoring off the bench should help Antetokounmpo and Lopez buy plenty of time on the bench whenever necessary.

Injuries are a concern for many on this roster, but I think this group should be healthy and productive enough to win at least 51 games this upcoming season.

Ultimately, I believe in Antetokounmpo, his status as one of the best players in the league, and how he and Lillard can build the requisite chemistry for this pairing to work.

However, if the Bucks don’t get the job done or make a deep playoff run, Antetokounmpo’s name could easily surface in trade rumours next offseason.