The Sacramento Kings (7-15) visit Milwaukee to take on the Bucks (11-9) in a game that will likely be low scoring. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 197 points with Milwaukee set as an 11.5-point favorite.
Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
In the Kings’ last contest, they beat the Chicago Bulls, 107-106. The Kings made 11 of their 14 free throws (78.6 percent) and held the Bulls to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.6 (below the 24.4 mark opponents have averaged against Sacramento this season). Sacramento received a boost from Zach Randolph, who was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
The Bucks were victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game, 103-91. Milwaukee’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Portland. The Bucks had a rate of 9.7 (better than their season average of 13.0), while the Trail Blazers posted a mark of 17.4 (above their season average of 13.2). With 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a good outing for Milwaukee.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Milwaukee currently ranks 27th in possessions per game (97.1) and Sacramento is 28th (97.0).
Sacramento comes into the game with records of 7-15 straight up (SU) and 8-11-2 against the spread (ATS). Kings games have gone over the O/U total 47.6 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 11-9 SU and 9-9-2 ATS. Vegas is highly precise when setting the total of Bucks games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Randolph (14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals) has been stellar for the Kings while Eric Bledsoe (17.8 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals) has contributed greatly to the Bucks.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 32 points in the first game, in which the Bucks beat the Kings 112-87, covering as 6-point favorites. He also recorded five rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 199 points, which was just 2.5 points above the projected point total of 196.5 points. The Bucks had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.655 vs. 0.435) and had a better turnover percentage (12.4 vs. 15.1).
Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Sacramento is 2-7-2 ATS on the road with 5 overs, 5 unders and 1 push.
At home, Milwaukee is 3-5-1 ATS with 6 unders and 3 overs.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Milwaukee is 6-2 and Sacramento is 3-2.
The Bucks are 8-3 when they score over 100 points, while the Kings are 4-3.
Milwaukee ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (19.0) while Sacramento ranks 24th (15.3).
The Bucks rank seventh in three pointers allowed per game (26.7) while the Kings rank 25th (31.6).
Milwaukee ranks third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Sacramento ranks 19th (8.4).
The Bucks rank ninth in assists allowed per game (21.6) while the Kings rank 25th (24.6).
Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (6.5) while Sacramento ranks 13th (10.7).
The Bucks rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (40.5) while the Kings rank 13th (43.3).
Sacramento ranks 20th in second chance points per game (10.9) while Milwaukee ranks 28th (8.0).
The Bucks allow the fewest blocks per game (3.7) while the Kings rank third (4.1).
Neither of these teams are great at rebounding the ball. Sacramento is 28th in the NBA with 39.4 rebounds per game while Milwaukee is last with 38.5 rebounds per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Sacramento is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 10.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (1.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.0 points per game (2.9 below their season average).
