The league’s top scoring team will be a 4.5-point favorite on the road at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, when the Milwaukee Bucks (34-6) go head-to-head with the Portland Trail Blazers (16-23). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 230 points and action begins at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11, 2020.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
In the Bucks’ last outing, they easily got past the Sacramento Kings, 127-106, covering as 14-point favorites. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-102, and were not able to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. The Milwaukee game finished 14 points over the projected point total of 219, while the Portland game went 6.5 points under the projected point total of 224.5.
Milwaukee dominated every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.242 (above their season average of 0.197) and a turnover percentage of 9.2 (better than their season average of 12.2). For those same stats, Sacramento put up marks of 0.083 and 13.7, respectively. Portland, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (8.4 vs. 12.5). Hassan Whiteside put together a good outing for Portland with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Milwaukee received a boost from Khris Middleton, who finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 137-129 win. He notched a triple-double with 24 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists. Milwaukee was unable to cover as a 14-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 266 points, which was well over the projected point total of 228. Milwaukee’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Bucks had 18 offensive rebounds and 58 total rebounds, while the Trail Blazers had nine and 41, respectively.
Just over half of the Bucks’ games have finished over the O/U total. Milwaukee holds records of 34-6 straight up (SU) and 21-18 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Milwaukee, just over half of Trail Blazers games have finished under the total. Moreover, Portland is 16-23 SU and 15-22-2 ATS.
Portland should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Portland ranks third in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.3 percent), while Milwaukee forces the sixth-fewest turnovers (13.2 percent). Also, the Bucks rank first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.490), while the Trail Blazers rank 21st in effective field goal percentage (0.516).
Bucks vs. Trail Blazers Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bucks average 18.6 fast break points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 15th in fast break points allowed per game (13.0).
- Milwaukee ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.8) while Portland ranks 29th (15.8).
- The Bucks rank fifth in assists per game (25.9) while the Trail Blazers rank last (19.6).
- Milwaukee averages 39.1 three pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Portland ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (34.3).
- Milwaukee ranks 14th in points off turnovers per game (17.3) while Portland ranks 29th (14.1).
- The Bucks average 51.4 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (48.2).
- The Bucks rank 11th in steals per game (7.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (5.9).
- Milwaukee ranks third in blocks per game (6.3) while Portland ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.1) while Portland ranks 29th (43.1).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Milwaukee is 9-0 and Portland is 4-0.
- In games where they score more than 100 points, the Bucks are 34-6 and the Trail Blazers are 16-17.
- Portland is 6-10-1 ATS at home, while Milwaukee is 10-9 ATS on the road.
- The Bucks have 10 overs and 9 unders in 19 road games.
- The Trail Blazers have 10 overs and 7 unders in 17 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Trail Blazers are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Bucks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Portland has 4 unders and 1 over, while Milwaukee has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Trail Blazers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 1.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 114.2 points per game (4.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (3.4 above their season average).
