The Milwaukee Bucks (32-21) visit Moda Center Saturday to take on the Portland Trail Blazers (21-32). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Trail Blazers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Blazers lost 4 straight games, two of which were as favorites against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They failed to cover the spread in all 4 games, dropping their against the spread (ATS) record to 21-31-1.
Having traded two starters (SF Norman Powell and PF Robert Covington to the Clippers) earlier in the week, the Blazers seem to be nearing a full-scale rebuild.
They’ll be taking on a team doing just the opposite. Led by MVP candidate PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have covered 2 of their last 3, being favored by 9 points or more in both covers.
Milwaukee had a slow start to the season and is just 23-30 ATS. However, the Bucks are 10-7 ATS as away favorites.
Bucks at Trail Blazers 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 4:12 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks -650 (bet $650 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +440 (bet $100 to win $440)
- Against the spread: Bucks -10.5 (-108) | Trail Blazers +10.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bucks at Trail Blazers key injuries
Bucks
- PG George Hill (neck) out
Trail Blazers
- Not submitted as of this publishing (below is projected)
- PG Damian Lillard (core) out
- SF Nassir Little (shoulder) out
- PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) questionable
Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Bucks at Trail Blazers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 116, Trail Blazers 102
Money line
PASS.
The Bucks’ -650 price is too risky.
Against the spread
BET BUCKS -10.5 (-108).
The Blazers have been without Lillard since the start of the year, forcing them to rely on SG Anfernee Simons more. While Simons (15.7 points per game) has played well, the efficiency isn’t there.
The Blazers rank 28th in true-shooting rate over their last 5 games. The Bucks are one of just five teams that rank in the top 10 in offensive and defensive rating.
The Bucks should be able to pounce from the start and not look back. In the Trail Blazers’ two recent losses to the Thunder, OKC was without its best player in SG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 229.5 (-112).
The Blazers scored just 93 points Friday in a 3-point home loss to the Thunder, the third consecutive game Portland scored less than 95 points. Knowing the collision course the organization is on, continued short-term struggles seem likely.
The Blazers are 25-27-1 O/U, while the Bucks are 23-30 O/U. Milwaukee is 8-9 O/U as a road favorite. Portland is 4-6 O/U as a home underdog.
The trends point to the Under being the better play.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]