The LA Lakers host the Milwaukee Bucks in Friday's marquee matchup of a six-game slate. It's the first of two games in the 2023-24 NBA season between the cross-conference rivals. The Lakers and Bucks started the year among the favorites to win.Their stock has fluctuated, but Milwaukee has been more consistent. Its 41-22 record is reflective of that. The Bucks are second in the East, considered the closest competitor to the league-leading Boston Celtics in the conference. The Doc Rivers took time to get going, but after the All-Star break, the Bucks have been consistent.Meanwhile, the Lakers soared high amid their 7-0 run to an NBA Cup win, as they improved to 14-9. However, what followed next sent LA into a downward spiral, which hasn't been easy to recover from since. The Lakers dropped two games below .500 in December.The max they have improved is going over .500, but that has not been as sustainable. LA is 34-30 ahead of Friday's contest, 10th in the West, four games back in the loss column from sixth place and three from seventh.Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers preview, betting tips, odds and predictionESPN will cover the Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers game. Local TV operators Bally Sports Wisconsin and Spectrum SportsNet (LA) will also televise the game.Fans outside the US can view the contest online via NBA League Pass. Tipoff is at 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT) at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers' homecourt.Moneyline: Bucks -155, Lakers +130Spread: Bucks -3 (-110), Lakers +3 (-110)Total (o/u): Bucks o227.5 (-110), Lakers u227.5 (-110)Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers: PreviewThe Bucks have maintained a decent record that has kept them bound for homecourt advantage in the playoffs.After months of glaring issues in their style of play under former coach Adrian Griffin and his replacement Doc Rivers, the Bucks are finally finding their identity. Since the All-Star break, going 6-1.They had their 6-0 streak snapped by the Warriors in their last game. They suffered a colossal fourth-quarter collapse, getting outscored 32-9. The defense was an issue all game, which hindered the Bucks' offensive rhythm, but it was only one game.Milwaukee still boasts a top-10 offense and top-three defense since the NBA All-Star break. Its defense will be tested again on Friday, as that's one area where the Lakers have dominated. LA is third offensively since February.However, its up-and-down run continued after the All-Star break with an embarrassing 130-120 loss to the Kings. LA started hot, taking a 19-point first-quarter lead, but a 44-20 second-quarter deficit turned the game on its head.The Lakers' defense had no response to the Kings' pacy backcourt pairing of De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk.Nevertheless, LA has been comfortable playing against teams like Milwaukee lately. The Lakers have the size and length to deal with the Giannis Antetokounmpo frontline and the perimeter defenders to throw off Damian Lillard and the Bucks' shooters.The Milwaukee Bucks have Giannis and Khris Middleton on their injury report. While Giannis is likely to suit up, Middleton is out.The LA Lakers have LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Colin Castleton and Jarred Vanderbilt on their injury report. Davis and Reddish will suit up while the rest are out.Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers starting lineupsBucks starting lineupPG - Damian Lillard, SG - Malik Beasley, SF - Jae Crowder, PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo, C - Brook LopezLakers starting lineupPG - D'Angelo Russell, SG - Austin Reaves, SF - Spencer Dinwiddie, PF - Rui Hachimura, C - Anthony DavisMilwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers: Betting TipsGiannis Antetokounmpo is favored to score over 30.5 points. That's a shade less than his season average of 30.7. He has averaged 30.4 points in his last nine games. It's expected to be a close game, so betting the over on the "Greek Freak's" point total is ideal.Anthony Davis is favored to go under on his rebounds total of 13.5. He has averaged 13.2 rebounds in his last 10 games but hit the over on his rebound total only once in his past five outings. He's up against Giannis and Lopez, so taking the under is advisable.Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Lakers: PredictionThe oddsmakers predicted this to be a neck-and-neck game, with the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Lakers having a -110 money line each. However, LeBron James' late scratch has favored the Bucks, and they are likely winning this. The Bucks have a -155 money line to the Lakers' +130 after LeBron's absence was announced.The Lakers' new starting lineup has been crucial in getting good starts. With the home crowd rallying behind LA, it will get to a good start. The Bucks might make it a close contest by halftime, owing to the Lakers' struggles in that period when the starting lineup doesn't play.The second half could favor the Bucks, as the Lakers' offense has been reliant on LeBron. Milwaukee has been clinical since the All-Star break in closing games early, so they will likely fend off any resistance from the Lakers.The Lakers have more to lose, so expect them to play with urgency on their home floor, but the Bucks are at an advantage without LeBron James.