Wizards vs. Bucks: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Wizards vs. Bucks Odds
| Wizards Odds | +8 |
| Bucks Odds | -8 |
| Over/Under | 229 |
| Date | Tue, Jan. 3 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. |
| TV | BSWI |
Tonight, the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks will battle at Fiserv Forum for the second time in three days. On New Year’s Day, the Wizards demolished the short-handed Bucks by 23 points, but the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday to the floor is likely to lead to a much different game script on Tuesday. Ahead of tip-off, oddsmakers have the Bucks listed as 8-point home favorites on the spread, expecting them to bounce-back on their home floor.
Washington Wizards
Wizards’ defense improving
Across the first two months of the season, the Wizards were a disappointing 11-20 in the standings and ranked 25th in the NBA in Net Rating. In that time period, there was a clear lack of commitment to getting stops, with the team ranking 22nd in defensive efficiency. In their last seven games, the energy on the defensive end of the floor has picked-up considerably, with Washington allowing a league-best 107.5 points per 100 possessions en route to six wins.
“(player-popup #bradley-beal)Bradley Beal”:/players/bradley-beal-13898’s listed as questionable
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Wizards rank in the 82nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 24th percentile in defensive efficiency when Bradley Beal is on the floor this season. When Beal is off of the floor, the chemistry of the team changes entirely, with Washington ranking in the 25th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 78th percentile in defensive efficiency. Similar to Sunday, if Beal, a game-time decision, is unable to play, bettors can expect a much lower scoring affair compared to if he is in the lineup.
Milwaukee Bucks
Return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday
Two days ago, Milwaukee was left without each of their top-three offensive facilitators, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton all in street clothes. Tonight, the Bucks return two of those three names, which should help them tremendously on the offensive end of the floor. Per Cleaning the Glass, when both Antetokounmpo and Holiday are off of the floor this year, this group ranks in the 8th percentile in offensive efficiency. When both are on the floor, the Bucks rank in the 73rd percentile in offensive efficiency.
When will Milwaukee “turn it on”
Milwaukee appeared to sleep-walk their way through the month of December, winning only 8-of-15 games and posting a negative Net Rating in that span. Though the Bucks are widely regarded as title-contenders, they have rarely been able to cover such a large spread this year. In their last 15 games, this team is allowing 112.6 points per 100 possessions, making it difficult to justify trusting them to cover in this spot.
Wizards vs. Bucks – Picks & Predictions
Antetokounmpo and Holiday are returning to action for Milwaukee, meaning that tonight’s action should feature far more offense than it did on Sunday. The potential return of Beal could also create an environment in which offense thrives and defense is an afterthought. The angle on this game could change slightly if Beal is ultimately ruled out, but bettors who are looking to lock-in a small wager this afternoon should lean towards the over.
PICK: Over 229 (-110, MGM)
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