Last week, the Milwaukee Bucks felt the need to make a coaching change. Despite a 30-13 record, rookie head coach Adrian Griffin was canned due to a loss of defensive structure. He was replaced by veteran Doc Rivers, who has been an NBA betting winner wherever he has gone. Rivers also has an NBA championship on his resume. On Wednesday, Rivers and his Bucks travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers. It will be a homecoming for former Portland great Damian Lillard, who is now with Milwaukee. Lillard did not help Griffin with his inconsistent defensive ways.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers NBA Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 10 p.m. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Moda Center, Portland, OR. |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks | -9½ -110 | 237½ -110 | -450 |  |
| Blazers | +9½ -110 | 237½ -110 | +350 | |
| ||||
Bucks at Trail Blazers SBG Odds Overview
Milwaukee will draw Wise Guy support for its offshore betting road team discount. By contrast, Portland will draw squares on its home court. In turn, Milwaukee will get some casual support as the vastly superior team.
Milwaukee Bucks Overview
The Milwaukee Bucks are 30-14 straight up, 17-27-1 against the spread, and 27-18 over/under the total. Late on, Milwaukee has covered two out of their last ten games. While the Bucks have gone under the total in three of its previous five matchups. Concurrently, Milwaukee is 2nd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Milwaukee is four games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Milwaukee has NBA metrics of 2nd for scoring offense, 8th for field goal percentage, 8th for 3-point field goal percentage, 17th for free throw percentage, and 9th for offensive rebounding.
In comparison on defense, the Bucks have NBA metrics of 24th for scoring defense, 16th for field goal percentage permitted, 5th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18th for defensive rebounding.
First among Milwaukee scorers is Giannis Antetokounmpo with 31 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Damian Lillard adds 25.3 points per game.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Overview
The Portland Trail Blazers are 13-32 straight up, 21-24 against the spread, and 20-25 over/under the total. Late on, Portland has covered five out of their last seven games. At the same time, the Blazers have gone under the total in four of its previous six matchups. Concurrently, Portland is 14th in the Western Conference playoff standings. Portland is ten games behind the Utah Jazz for the final Western Conference play-in spot.
Portland has NBA metrics of 29th for scoring offense, 30th for field goal percentage, 23rd for 3-point field goal percentage, 12th for free throw percentage, and x for offensive rebounding.
In comparison on defense, the Trail Blazers have NBA metrics of 19th for scoring defense, 26th for field goal percentage permitted, 4th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 25th for defensive rebounding.
Bucks at Trail Blazers SBG Free Pick
Overall, the Bucks have dominated this NBA betting series. Milwaukee got the cash in 15 of its last 18 games with Portland. The Bucks and Trail Blazers went over the total in three of their previous five meetings. Specifically at Portland, Milwaukee got the money in six of its most recent seven visits. Eight of the last nine games in this series at Portland went under the total. Milwaukee will get a more favorable price as the quality away team.
Bucks at Trail Blazers SBG Best Bet: Milwaukee Bucks and Under the Total.