The Milwaukee Bucks hit the road and play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
The Milwaukee Bucks continued their winning ways against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, winning big 148-129 and registering their fifth consecutive victory. The Bucks have won 11 out of their last 12 games and own the league’s best record at 40-13, two games ahead of the defending champions Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.
The Bucks are the second highest scoring team in the league at 117.8 points per game. They are also the top rebounding squad in the NBA at 48.7 boards per contest and they are ranked 5th in passing at 26.5 assists per game. Milwaukee ranks 7th in scoring defense at 107.6 points per game allowed.
Bucks
-370
Mavericks
+290
Odds from Bet365 as of 2/08/19
The makeover in Dallas continued on Wednesday night when the Mavericks traded seven year veteran Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson. The move was the second big move for Dallas who earlier completed a blockbuster deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks. The Mavs are excited about pairing Porzingis with rookie sensation Luka Doncic who is one of the bright spots of the Dallas season.
The Mavericks are 20th in the league in scoring at 109.1 points per game and are 25th in passing at 22.7 assists per contest. Dallas is also ranked 11th off the glass with a total of 46.2 rebounds per game grabbed and they are 10th in scoring defense at 108.4 points per game allowed.
Milwaukee is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games played. The Bucks are 6-1 SU in their last seven road games played. Dallas is 5-5 SU in its last 10 games played. The Mavericks are 3-2 SU in their last five games played at home. Head to head, the Mavericks are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against the Bucks and are also 8-2 SU in their last 10 meetings played in Dallas.
Dallas won its first game after swinging the Porzingis trade as they beat the Charlotte Hornets 99-93. But after their latest trade, the Mavericks will be playing without their Top 2 to 4 scorers in Barnes, Wesley Matthews and Dennis Smith Jr. They will likewise be without top rebounder DeAndre Jordan who was also shipped in the Porzingis deal. While Dallas did acquire some pieces in the two trades, the main piece-Porzingis won’t be here until next season. Also, the Mavs will have to integrate five new players in to Rick Carlisle’s system on the fly which will be hard against the top team in the NBA.
Dallas has played better at home than they have on the road. But this Milwaukee team is an impressive 19-7 SU on the road this season. With Mirotic on board, the Bucks have added another weapon in their arsenal. I like what the Bucks are doing right now.
I’m picking the Milwaukee Bucks to beat the Dallas Mavericks on 2/8/19.
The Bucks are 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games played including 5-1-1 ATS In their last seven road games. The Mavericks are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games played and Dallas is 3-1-1 ATS in its last five games played at home. Head to head, the Mavericks are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games versus the Bucks.
Bucks
-8 (-110)
Mavericks
+8 (-110)
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 2/08/19
The Bucks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 Friday games, 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last four road games. The Mavs are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 home games overall, 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games against the Eastern Conference and 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. The Mavs figured in a couple of big trades heading to the trade deadline and of their acquisitions, only Tim Hardaway Jr. is probably ready to play in this game. Given who they gave up, I think they face an uphill battle against the best team in the league. Likewise, the Bucks have played well ATS and the law of averages say they could be getting a loss anytime now. Between that and Dallas’ manpower problems though, I’ll go with the Bucks.
Prediction: Bucks -8
The under is 6-4 in the Bucks’ last 10 games played. The total has gone under in four out of the last seven games played by Milwaukee. The under is 8-1-1 in the last 10 games played by the Mavericks. Dallas has seen the total go under in three out of its last five games at home.
Bucks
O 223 -110
Mavericks
U 223 -110
Odds from Betonline.ag as of 2/08/19
The under is 12-5 in the Bucks’ last 17 road games played and the under is 16-5 in the last 21 games played by Dallas. The Bucks are the 7th best scoring defense in the league while the Mavs are allowing less than 106 points per game at home. I don’t think this one’s going over the total.
Prediction: Under 223
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