The Milwaukee Bucks (13-10) take on the Dallas Mavericks (7-18) at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 202 points with Milwaukee set as a 5-point favorite.
Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
The Mavericks are trying to rebound after their 97-90 loss to the Boston Celtics in their last game. Boston’s 18.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Dallas, who had a mark of 12.0. The Celtics’ mark was below their season average of 21.8, while the Mavericks’ was below their season average of 18.5. Harrison Barnes led Dallas in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
In the Bucks’ last matchup, they defeated the Detroit Pistons, 104-100. Milwaukee’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Detroit. The Bucks had a rate of 0.544 (above their season average of 0.534), while the Pistons posted a mark of 0.471 (below their season average of 0.523). Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee in scoring with 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Milwaukee ranks 28th in possessions per game (96.5) and Dallas is 22nd (98.4).
Dallas heads into the contest with records of 7-18 straight up (SU) and 11-14 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Mavericks have gone under the O/U total 52.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is 13-10 SU and 9-11-3 ATS. Of the Bucks’ 23 games, 12 have finished over the projected point total.
Eric Bledsoe has averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals over the last five games for Milwaukee.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Wesley Matthews recorded 22 points and eight assists and the Mavericks defeated the Bucks 111-79, covering as 6-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 190 points, which was 14 points below the projected point total of 204 points. Dallas made 19 of their 38 three pointers (50.0 percent). Milwaukee was, on the other hand, 6-25 (24.0 percent).
Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Mavericks, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Dallas is 5-5 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 4 overs.
Milwaukee is 3-6-2 ATS at home with 6 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
Dallas is 6-5 when they allow below 100 points, while Milwaukee is 6-2.
When reaching 100 points, the Mavericks are 5-7 and the Bucks are 10-4.
Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (6.4) while Dallas ranks last (14.2).
The Mavericks rank fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.6) while the Bucks rank 26th (24.3).
Milwaukee ranks eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while Dallas ranks 29th (13.9).
The Bucks rank second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Mavericks rank 21st (8.4).
Milwaukee ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.4) while Dallas ranks 25th (3.7).
The Bucks rank 10th in points in the paint per game (45.7) while the Mavericks rank 28th (37.6).
Milwaukee ranks 14th in rebounds allowed per game (43.0) while Dallas ranks 27th (46.4).
The Mavericks rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while the Bucks rank 14th (12.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Dallas is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Milwaukee is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push over their last five games.
The Mavericks have outscored opponents by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Dallas has been defeated by an average of 3.2 points.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (2.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 98.6 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
