The Milwaukee Bucks (33-26) will be at home in BMO Harris Bradley Center when they clash against the Washington Wizards (35-25). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 211 points with Milwaukee set as a 3-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks ATS Preview
In the Wizards’ last matchup, they beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-94. With 23 points and seven rebounds, Otto Porter Jr. had a good performance for Washington. Washington’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Philadelphia. The Wizards had a rate of 0.620 (above their season average of 0.525), while the 76ers posted a mark of 0.413 (below their season average of 0.528).
The Bucks are hoping for a better outcome after their 123-121 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in their last outing. With 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Eric Bledsoe put together a good outing for Milwaukee. New Orleans had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.9 vs. 20.4). Milwaukee, on the other hand, did a great job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (26-29; 89.7 percent).
The physical Milwaukee offense might be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this matchup. The Bucks rank fourth in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.225, while Washington ranks 24th in FTA rate allowed (0.212).
Of Washington’s 60 games, 31 have finished under the O/U total, while 30 of Milwaukee’s 59 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have decent straight up (SU) records (35-25 for Washington; 33-26 for Milwaukee), but the Wizards hold a slight edge against the spread (ATS). Washington is 29-31 ATS, while the Bucks are 26-28-5.
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Wizards, it’s been Porter Jr., who has averaged 18.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals, while the Bucks have received solid contributions from Bledsoe (19.8 points, 7.0 assists and 2.2 steals).
These two teams have met three times already this year, with the Bucks leading the series two games to one. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 27 points, 20 rebounds and six assists in the most recent contest, in which the Bucks, who were 5.5-point underdogs, defeated the Wizards 104-95. The two teams combined for 199 points, which was 12.5 points below the projected point total of 211.5 points. The Bucks played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 15.3 and a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 34.9. The Wizards were 20.4 and 27.5, respectively, for those same stats.
Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Wizards rank 19th in rebounds per game (42.9) while the Bucks rank 29th (39.6).
- Milwaukee ranks 10th in points in the paint per game (46.0) while Washington ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8).
- Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (8.3) while Washington ranks 10th (10.9).
- Washington ranks 23rd in three pointers attempted per game (26.6) while Milwaukee ranks 26th (24.5).
- Washington is 18-13 ATS on the road with 19 unders and 12 overs.
- At home, Milwaukee is 10-17-3 ATS with 15 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Washington is 17-2 and Milwaukee is 16-4.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Bucks are 27-14 and the Wizards are 32-14.
- The Bucks rank fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Wizards rank 13th (7.6).
- Milwaukee ranks 14th in second chance points allowed per game (12.4) while Washington ranks last (13.8).
- The Wizards rank fifth in assists per game (24.6) while the Bucks rank 18th (22.5).
- The Bucks rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Wizards rank eighth (4.5).
- Milwaukee averages 17.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Washington ranks 16th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.5).
Bettings Trends:
- Milwaukee is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Washington is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Bucks have outscored opponents by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Milwaukee has been defeated by an average of 0.0 points.
- During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (1.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.4 points per game (1.2 below their season average).