Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 3/7/2018

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets head to BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. The opening line for this game has Houston as 6 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 49-13. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.8 as they are averaging 114.0 points per game while giving up 105.2 per contest. The Bucks have an overall mark of 34-30. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They are averaging 104.7 points per contest and giving up 105.1, which is a point differential of -0.4.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 32-29-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 28-33-1 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 26-33-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 31-32-1 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/05/18 F Ryan Anderson Hip is downgraded to OUT Tuesday vs Oklahoma City

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
03/05/18 C Tyler Zeller Back is "?" Wednesday vs Houston
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is OUT 3-4 weeks
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul comes into this game averaging 18.8 points per contest while playing 32 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 8.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 91%. James Harden averages 31.2 points per contest in 35.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 8.9 assists per game and 5.2 rebounds per contest for Houston. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton has scored 19.8 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game this season for the Bucks. He hauls in 5.1 rebounds per contest and has 4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 27.2 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 37.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 10.2 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 114 points per contest this year, which is 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 8.82 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 13th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 43.5 boards per contest and 21.8 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 19th with 13.9 per game. The Rockets allow 105.2 points per contest which is 13th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.2 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they allow 23 assists per game which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 18th in the NBA with 104.7 points per contest this season. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.45. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 30th in the NBA in rebounding with 39.5 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 22.2. The Bucks are 20th in turnovers per contest with 13.9. The Bucks give up 105.1 points per game, which ranks them 12th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 19th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 23.1 dimes allowed per game and 10th with 42.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 115.9 is ranked 23rd. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Bucks are 12th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 13th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn