The Milwaukee Bucks (11-3) will try to continue their five-game winning streak against the Portland Trail Blazers (5-10) at Fiserv Forum. The game will air on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 21, 2019.
Portland Trail Blazers at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Prediction
In the Trail Blazers’ last outing, they were beaten by the New Orleans Pelicans, 115-104, and failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (219) finished under the O/U total of 231.5. One of New Orleans’ biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 20-24 (83.3 percent), while the Trail Blazers were just 8-13 (61.5 percent). CJ McCollum was Portland’s high scorer with 22 points on 9-for-22 shooting.
The Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in their last contest, 135-127, but were not able to cover as 8.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (262) were well over the O/U total of 230.5. Milwaukee’s 0.626 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Atlanta, who had a rate of 0.531. The Bucks’ mark was above their season average of 0.546. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the field.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bucks won the last contest 143-100. The Bucks had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 17.9) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.597 vs. 0.414).
Portland comes into the contest with records of 5-10 straight up (SU) and 6-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 15 games, eight have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 11-3 SU and 7-6 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Bucks games, with 7 overs compared to 6 unders.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. McCollum (25 points,6.0 rebounds,3.8 assists,1.2 steals) has been great for the Trail Blazers while Eric Bledsoe (19 points,6.4 assists) has contributed greatly to the Bucks.
Milwaukee could have their way on the defensive side of the ball as they face off against one of the league’s worst offenses. The Bucks currently rank fourth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.488), while Portland is 23rd in effective field goal percentage (0.506).
Portland Trail Blazers at Milwaukee Bucks Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Bucks
Betting Trends:
Portland is 5-4-1 ATS on the road with 5 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 2-2 ATS at home with 3 overs and 1 under.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Milwaukee is 2-0 and Portland is 1-0.
The Bucks are 11-3 when they score more than 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 5-9.
Milwaukee averages 51.7 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the league. Portland ranks last in rebounds allowed per game (49.2).
The Bucks rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (16.3).
Milwaukee ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Portland ranks 26th (6.5).
The Bucks rank fifth in points in the paint per game (51.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (42.7).
Milwaukee ranks 11th in points off turnovers per game (18.9) while Portland ranks last (14.1).
The Trail Blazers rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (32.7) while the Bucks rank 28th (38.5).
Milwaukee ranks second in fast break points per game (18.1) while Portland ranks 15th in fast break points allowed per game (13.7).
The Bucks rank 16th in assists per game (24.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (18.7).
Milwaukee ranks 15th in steals per game (7.6) while Portland ranks 26th (5.9).
In its last five games, Portland is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Milwaukee is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 3.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
