Categories
NBA

Free Pick: Milwaukee vs. Portland NBA Lines & Handicapping Preview

NBA Betting? Bucs vs Blazers Predictions

Early season NBA betting action sees the Portland Trail Blazers taking on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at the ModaCenter. Cappers Picks provides free NBA handicapping tips all season long.

2014 NBA Picks

Milwaukee (13-12) vs. Portland (19-6) 
Wednesday, Dec. 17
10:00 p.m. ET
Moda Center
TV: Local
NBA Betting Lines: Blazers -9
NBA Betting Total: 203.5
***2014 NBA BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Click here to view… NBA ATS Stats & Expert NBA Betting Insight!

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a pleasant surprise this season. Although their record is barely above .500, it’s far better than most projected from the last place team we saw last season.

Entering this contest, Milwaukee has won two straight. Both were tight wins, and both were against Western Conference playoff hopefuls (L.A. Clippers, Phoenix Suns).

[dfads params=’groups=63742&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

At this point in the year, Jabari Parker is a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. The 2014 draft class hasn’t been filled with the elite talent we thought it would have, and as a result, the Bucks’ young buck has put himself at the front of the pack.

Look for the Bucks to focus in on LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard defensively, forcing the role players in Portland to be the difference makers.

Portland

For the first time since 2012-13, the Portland Trail Blazers are about to play a game without Robin Lopez at center.

[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

On Monday night, Portland faced off against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs — the same team that convincingly knocked Portland out of the 2014 postseason. The team walked away with a big win, but the loss of Lopez (fractured hand) could prove to have far more of an impact.

Luckily for Portland, Chris Kaman has been something of a godsend. The reserve big man has been excellent this season, and now he’ll have a chance to be fully on display in the starting lineup.

Now the question is: Which big man will step up off the bench? Portland hasn’t gotten much production from Joel Freeland, Thomas Robinson and Meyers Leonard, but the three will have a chance to make a name for themselves early in their careers.

[dfads params=’groups=63741&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

NBA Handicapping Trends:

* Over is 7-2 in MIL last 9 overall.
* MIL are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
* Under is 10-4 in MIL last 14 vs. NBA Northwest.
* Under is 10-4 in POR last 14 home games.
* POR are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 home games.
* Over is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Portland.
* Over is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings.

4* NBA Prediction: Portland 109 – Milwaukee 99

Despite not having Lopez on board for the next month, the Blazers get the opportunity to integrate Kaman into the starting lineup — and a collection of new reserve centers into the mix as well — against a subpar Eastern Conference opponent. Milwaukee has been good this year, but nobody will consider it a contender against the likes of top-tier opponents.

Given that the Bucks have defeated the Clippers and Suns in back-to-back games, it’s not unreasonable to think that this one could have upset written all over it. Then again, Portland won’t be caught by surprise the same way the other two Western opponents were.

Expect this one to go Rip City’s way, and don’t be surprised if it’s a double-digit separation when the clock strikes zero.

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By PDX PIX

He's young! He's Brash, he's on a non-stop mission to destroy as many sportsbooks as he can, or at least is humanly possible. He hates losing! Perfect recipe for cashing winning tickets. He's been doing just that from the West Coast since College! Stick with PDX PIX for your NBA, NCAAB, NFL & NCAAF plays all year long!