Cavaliers vs. Bucks Prediction, NBA Odds & Best Bets (10/31)

Fact checked at 9:41 AM ET, Oct 31, 2026

Odds as of 8:16 AM ET, Oct 31, 2026

The Cavaliers (3-2) visit the Bucks (1-4) at Fiserv Forum for an 8:00 PM ET tip on NBA League Pass and local coverage, and we expect plenty of points. Milwaukee allows 124.2 a game, 27th in the league, in its first season since trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, while Cleveland allows 117, 20th. A game like 125-115 clears the total, with Evan Mobley scoring into that defense and Tyler Herro carrying Milwaukee's end, and all three picks win in that game. Each team has played only five games, so these are early numbers.

Cleveland is favored by 8.5. Jaylon Tyson (ankle), Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) and Khalifa Diop (G League) are out for the Cavaliers, and Meleek Thomas (foot) is questionable on the latest injury report. Milwaukee has nobody listed.

Cavaliers vs. Bucks Predictions

• Pick #1: Over 237.5 (-110)
• Pick #2: Evan Mobley Over 17.5 Points (-121)
• Pick #3: Tyler Herro Over 22.5 Points (-104)

PICK #1: Over 237.5 (-110)

Milwaukee has allowed 127 or more in four of five games, and three of its games cleared this number: 243 against Philadelphia, 257 against Chicago and 244 against Washington. Add Cleveland's 252 with Minnesota and 246 with Brooklyn and it's 5 of 10 between the teams. That's below the 52.4% that -110 implies, so we're leaning on the two defenses, which allow 241.2 points between them.

Cleveland's road games finished at 220 and 225, but the 225 in Atlanta came on the second night of a back-to-back. The Cavaliers have had a night off since, and Milwaukee has had two days.

We'd call this close at the number. The offenses average 231.4 combined, one public projection has 122-115, or 237.3, and a blowout can fall short: Milwaukee's 132-100 loss to Houston reached only 232. Some books sit a point lower at 236.5 for a shorter price.

PICK #2: Evan Mobley Over 17.5 Points (-121)

Tyson's absence takes 7.8 shots a game out of Cleveland's rotation, and some of them should find Mobley against a defense this soft. He's over this line in 4 of 5: 18 against Philadelphia, 20 against Brooklyn, 18 against Minnesota, 24 against Washington and 11 in Atlanta. He has started every game at 32 to 38 minutes and has made 12 threes.

The price, 54.8% implied, is about his level. He averaged 18.2 last season and reached 18 in 36 of 65 games, so the matchup and the extra shots are what we're paying for.

Atlanta shows how this misses. He and Jarrett Allen combined for 17 shots, and his 11 came the night after his 24. Two of the four Overs landed on exactly 18, and his two road games are that 18 in Philadelphia and the 11.

PICK #3: Tyler Herro Over 22.5 Points (-104)

A total this high needs Milwaukee to score, and Herro has led the Bucks in four of five games, with 24 at Washington, 34 against Chicago, 13 at Philadelphia, 23 against Indiana and 23 against Houston. Cleveland's defense ranks 20th, and -104 implies only 51.0%.

The 23 against Houston came on 9-of-13 shooting in 27 minutes of a 32-point loss, so a lopsided score hasn't cost him. He has started all five and played 27 to 32 minutes.

This is a bet on the new role. Last season with Miami he averaged 20.5 in 33 games and reached 23 only 12 times. Two of his four Overs were exactly 23, and he had 13 on 6-of-14 shooting at Philadelphia.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.