The Houston Rockets (10-21) travel to Fiserv Forum Wednesday to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (19-13). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Rockets are coming into this game having covered 6 of their last 9 games. Houston may be without star C Christian Wood, though, but key scorer Eric Gordon should be active. The Rockets are 16-14-1 ATS this season.
The Bucks, who will be down their two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been 13-19 ATS this season. Milwaukee is down 3 starters from a season ago, but Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday should be able to carry them.
With those two active, the Bucks will enter as heavy favorites.
Rockets at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Bucks -540 (bet $540 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +9.5 (-120) | Bucks -9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rockets at Bucks key injuries
Rockets
- G Jalen Green (hamstring) out
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) out
- C Christian Wood (knee) questionable
Bucks
- F Bobby Portis (health and safety protocols) out
- F Giannis Antetokounmpo (health and safety protocols) out
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Rockets at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 115, Rockets 102
Money line
PASS on the money line. At home, the Bucks should come out with relative ease, but there is still very little value in betting them at -540.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the BUCKS -9.5 (-105) as Holiday has been dominant on both sides of the court. His impact should be a key difference-maker in the outcome of this game.
Holiday is averaging over 28 points per game over his last 3. He has taken his game to the next level, and the Rockets won’t have an answer for the dynamic Bucks backcourt.
The Rockets rank 26th in defensive rating. The Rockets also allow their opponents to shoot the fifth-most threes. The Bucks thrive off three-point shooting and should abuse that Houston weakness.
Ultimately, I’d likely pass if Wood does play and proceed to bet on Milwaukee if he’s sidelined.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 224.5 (-110). The last time these two teams took the court, the Bucks won 123-114. The Rockets covered the 9.5-point spread.
However, Antetokounmpo dropped 41 points. He won’t be active. Wood had 21 while Garrison Mathews also dropped 6 triples. Two of those players could be out, and Mathews will likely not be as scorching hot.
With that in mind, I’d rather play the Under here. Also, the Bucks are 12-20 on the total this season. It has been far more profitable to bet their Under.
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