The Bucks are on the road in Portland tonight looking for their first win with Doc Rivers as their head coach. He made his debut on Monday, which resulted in a 113-107 loss to the Nuggets. He should have better luck tonight against a Blazers team that is second to last in the Western Conference currently.
However, Portland does have a few surprise wins this season that makes it an interesting matchup for a Bucks team in transition. With wins against Phoenix, Indiana, and Cleveland, the Blazers have shown the ability to stun a few teams occasionally. In their first matchup with the Bucks this season, Milwaukee just escaped defeat, 108-102, on a night both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard had over 30 points.
Due to the Bucks’ defensive lapses, this could be another surprisingly competitive matchup. If you’re looking for betting action, below are the live odds for the game and additional betting information, including prop picks.
Bucks vs. Blazers odds: Point Spread, moneyline, and total
Check out the latest NBA betting odds for Bucks vs. Blazers:
Bucks betting news: Milwaukee’s offense relying heavily on Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is about the only constant for the Bucks this season. He has maintained some resemblance of his season totals every month, which are, again, exceptional. This year, he is averaging 31 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. His shooting split for the season is 60.7%, 26%, and 66%.
As for the rest of his running mates, the contributions are not up to par to the standard they have established for themselves.
In January, Lillard is averaging 23.5 points per game, four rebounds, and 6.6 assists. He is doing so on his worst shooting month of the season – 38.9%, 28.3%, and 92.7%. As the team’s second-leading scorer, his struggles are evident even though they have found a way to win games.
The team’s third option Khris Middleton hasn’t fared much better. He is having one of the better months of the season, but his production is down across the board from last year. This year, he averages the lowest point total he has since the 2014-2015 season.
The arrival of Lillard is a likely contributor, but it’s something Rivers must figure out if they want to solidify their chances of winning a championship this year, especially given their defensive liabilities.
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Blazers betting news: Portland’s scoring punch, lone defensive bright spot
The Blazers’ leading scorers have all had slightly lesser months of January than months prior, but nothing too drastic, as offense hasn’t been their issue most nights. Starting guard Anfernee Simons leads the way with a season average of 22.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, with a shooting split of 43.5%, 38.4%, and 90.4%.
Forward Jerami Grant is chipping in 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, with a shooting split of 46%, 40.5%, and 80.6%. Malcolm Brogdon rounds out their top three, averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.5. assists, shooting 44.2%, 41.9%, and 82.9%.
Their issue is defense. They are 27th in points in the paint allowed per game (55.8), tied for 20th in defensive efficiency, and 18th in points allowed per contest. However, they do own the best three-point defense in the NBA, which will certainly help them out tonight as the Bucks are top 10 in attempted three-pointers per game.
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Bucks vs. Blazers player props picks
This isn’t a blockbuster matchup, but it does have the potential to be a barn burner given both team’s defensive struggles and scoring abilities. If you’re looking for game props, this one has plenty of options to consider.
Giannis Antetokounmpo player props
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Khris Middleton player props
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Anfernee Simons player props
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Jerami Grant player props
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Bucks vs. Blazers prediction ATS
Both teams have defensive liabilities, but the Bucks can create the easiest points thanks to Antetokounmpo’s ability to get the rim and blazers inability to stop it. When the game tightens up, the Bucks are better equipped to close it out thanks to the efficiency of their star.
The Blazers took a lead into the fourth quarter in the first matchup, but lost the game due to a 33-14 fourth quarter from the Bucks. A similar outcome is possible again in this one, with the Bucks winning outright, but not covering.
Prediction: Blazers
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