Hopeful Milwaukee Bucks Host Wavering Winless Wizards
The Washington Wizards (0-2 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U) have dropped each of their first two games in the BetUS Sportsbook but may have a decent shot at winning tonight. The Wizards will face a Milwaukee Bucks (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, 1-3 O/U) team that has overhauled its roster and changed head coaches coming into the 2008-09 season.
Washington shot a blistering 52 percent from the field in their 117-109 road loss to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday but played no defense whatsoever in the loss despite getting 24 points from veteran forward Antawn Jamison and 23 points from swingman Nick Young off the bench. Washington barely managed to cover the spread as 9-point road underdogs in the loss.
“It was a big improvement from game one, and that’s what we are looking for – improvement,” Wizard head coach Eddie Jordan said. “I know we lost the game, but there were a lot of positive signs – for us to score 109 points against a very good defensive team means we are making strides.”
Milwaukee has alternated wins and losses in each of their first four games, but is coming off a solid 94-86 win over the underachieving New York Knicks on Sunday to cover the spread as 5.5-point home favorites.
Milwaukee got some bad news in the victory however as all-star shooting guard Michael Redd sprained his ankle in the third quarter and may not play in tonight’s contest.
“It hurts right now. It hurts,” Redd said after the game. “Just got to take it day by day, continue to get treatment on it. Little swollen, but I didn’t hear anything crack or anything.”
Redd scored 16 points in the win before getting hurt and is averaging 23.0 points per game in Milwaukee’s first four contests.
Newly acquired veteran swingman Richard Jefferson and talented backup point guard Ramon Sessions each scored 18 points as the Bucks held New York to 37 percent shooting from the field.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.
The Wizards are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
The Wizards are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games following a S.U. loss.
The Bucks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Wednesday games.
The Bucks are 17-35-1 ATS in their last 53 games following an ATS win.
The Under is 4-0 in Wizards last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Over is 10-1 in Bucks last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
The Road team is 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings.
NBA Odds
Washington Wizards +1 -110
Milwaukee Bucks -1 -110
Over 189 -110
Under 189 -110
Analysis: I personally believe that Washington head coach is arguably the worst head coach in the league right now! His glaring omission to get his team to play any defense at all for the past several years has kept the Wizards from winning a postseason series despite having three terrific scorers in Jamison, Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas.
I like the direction Scott Skiles has the Bucks heading in despite their inconsistent ways so far this season.
Take the Bucks to record their first winning streak of the season while cover the 1-point spread at home.
