Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – January 18, 2017

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets Preview

Where: Toyota Center, Houston

When: Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Milwaukee Bucks (+6.5) vs. Houston Rockets (-6.5); total: 227.5 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

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Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks (20-20)

Point Spread: +6.5

Milwaukee hasn’t gone under .500 thus far this year and that’s something the Bucks will be looking to avoid, as they take on Houston.

The Bucks have dropped their last two assignments, losing to Atlanta (111-98) on Friday and to Philadelphia (113-104) last Monday.

The Bucks have been lacking in the rebounding department for most the season, which was something highlighted in the Philly game with the Sixers outrebounding Milwaukee by wide margin, 60-44. Houston’s hard to stop on offense with all the shooters it has, but winning the battle on the glass will go a long way for Milwaukee in slowing down the Rockets. The Bucks are just 27th in the league in rebounding with 42.3 boards per contest.

In any case, the Bucks should find scoring easier than usual against Houston, which doesn’t really put too much premium on defense, allowing opponents to score 107.6 points per game.

Milwaukee is averaging 105.2 PPG behind the tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo (23.4) and Jabari Parker (20.5). Engaging the Rockets in a shootout, however, would definitely call for more scoring help from other players such as Greg Monroe (10.9) and Malcolm Brogdon (9.3).

Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS in its last five games in Houston.

Betting on the Houston Rockets (32-12)

Point Spread: -6.5

James Harden did James Harden things Tuesday night but his monster performance wasn’t enough to carry Houston past Miami in a 109-103 loss. It was the Rockets’ third loss in four games.

Harden churned out another triple-double against Miami, scoring 40 points to go with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Harden had extra load on his shoulders with Ryan Anderson out due to illness.

Anderson is likely to get back on the floor tonight, given that he was able to do workouts prior to the Miami contest.

Houston also needs Eric Gordon’s form back after the shooting guard scored just seven points on a salty 3-for-17 shooting from the field Tuesday. Gordon is second on the team in points with 17.6 a game.

The Rockets are the most productive three-point shooting team in the league today, nailing 14.8 treys per outing. They could get more against Milwaukee’s generous perimeter defense that gives up the fifth-most three-pointers.

Houston, which averages 114.9 PPG, is 3-1 ATS in its last four games against Milwaukee dating back to 2014.

Writer’s Prediction

Houston wins, 108-100.

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