NBA Handicapping Predictions – Thunder vs Bucks
NBA Basketball Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8:00 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Oklahoma City -3
Over/Under: 210
Oklahoma City has owned the top spot in the Western Conference by themselves almost all year, but the Spurs 11-game win streak has helped them tie the Thunder at the top spot. Milwaukee is battling hard with New York and Philadelphia for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have plenty to play for in this one.
The Thunder took care of an undermanned Toronto team on Sunday, but the task will be more difficult Monday night in Milwaukee.
Oklahoma City is so tough to stop because they have three guys who can take over a game at any point. Kevin Durant is the team’s leading scorer at 28.7 points per game. He shoots 50.5% from the floor. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Russell Westbrook is averaging 24.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. James Harden has taken his game to another level this year, and I expect him to be named the Sixth Man of the Year. Oklahoma City has improved this year largely due to their defense. The Thunder are allowing opponents to shoot just 42.5% from the floor.
Before the season, Scott Skiles decided it would be beneficial for his Milwaukee team to push the tempo and score in transition. When the team picked up Monta Ellis at the trade deadline it helped them find a whole new gear on offense.
With Brandon Jennings and Ellis in the backcourt, the Bucks have two guards who can fill it up consistently. Ersan Ilyasova is having a breakout season for the team. Ilyasova averages 12.9 points and 8.9 boards per game. Drew Gooden does a lot of the dirty work in the paint as well.
Gooden averages 13.9 points per game, and he is a solid post defender. The Bucks have scored 100 points or more in seven of their last ten games.
Oklahoma City has the better defense, and I think they’ll come up with a big stop or two at the end to pull out a close win.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 109 Milwaukee 106
