Game of the Night – Bucks at Bulls (-4 ½, 206) – 8:00 PM EST
These two Central division rivals meet for the second time in as many days after Milwaukee held off Chicago last night, 108-97 to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bucks jumped out to a 19-point halftime lead while owning as large as a 27-point advantage before Chicago cut the deficit to eight points with eight minutes remaining. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Jabari Parker added 28 points for the Bucks, who improved to 9-6 at home.
Milwaukee has struggled with no rest this season by compiling an 0-4 SU/ATS record in this situation, as Jason Kidd’s squad has been limited to 83 points or fewer in three of those defeats. Chicago hasn’t fared much better on the second of a back-to-back by going 2-3 SU/ATS, while the Bulls are playing at home with no rest for the first time this season.
hicago has dropped five of its past seven games since knocking off Cleveland two weeks ago, as the Bulls have posted a 1-6 ATS mark in this stretch. Fred Hoiberg’steam has failed to cash in its last four opportunities as a home favorite, but the Bulls beat the Bucks twice at the United Center last season with both victories coming by double-digits.
All that Jazz
Following an up and down first month of the season, Utah has rebounded back nicely by winning nine of its last 11 games. The Jazz sit atop the Northwest division with a 16-10 record following a 109-89 blowout of the Thunder on Wednesday to cash as 7 ½-point favorites. Utah is getting back to full health after forward Derrick Favors returned to the lineup on Wednesday following a 13-game absence due to a knee injury.
The Jazz go for their eighth home win in 10 tries tonight against a Mavericks’ squad that owns a dreadful 6-19 record. Dallas has lost 11 of 12 road contests this season, as the Mavs’ offense has scored 91 points or less in seven consecutive away games. The Mavs are making their second trip to Salt Lake City this season as Dallas lost at Utah on November 2 as 3 ½-point underdogs, 97-81. Tonight, the Jazz are listed as 12-point home favorites at Sportsbook.ag, as Dallas owns a 2-4 ATS record as a double-digit underdog.
Revenge of the Hawks
The last time Atlanta traveled north of the border, the Hawks were destroyed by the Raptors, 128-84 in early December as 8 ½-point underdogs. The Hawks are 7 ½-point ‘dogs tonight in their return to Air Canada Center as Atlanta has lost 11 of its past 14 games since a 9-2 start. The Raptors remain in first place of the Atlantic division at 18-7, including a 10-4 record at home. Toronto is the hottest ATS team currently in the league at 11-1 ATS the last 12 games, including a 7-0 ATS mark as a favorite of seven points or more in this stretch.
Shooting for 20
The Clippers continue their Sunshine State tour tonight after holding off the Magic on Wednesday, 113-108 to improve to 19-7. Los Angeles travels south to Miami tonight to face a Heat squad that is coming off back-to-back wins over the Wizards and Pacers. The Clippers are riding a 6-2 mark to the OVER the last eight games, while busting the 113-point mark six times in this stretch. Los Angeles has slumped from an ATS perspective recently by failing to cash in four of the past five games, but the Clippers won and covered in both meetings last season with the Heat.
Without Walker
Hornets’ leading scorer Kemba Walker will miss his first game of the season tonight at Boston to tend to a personal matter. The Celtics are expected to have their leading scorer back this evening as Isaiah Thomas will return following a four-game absence with a groin injury. Since beating Orlando on December 7, the Celtics have lost three straight games, including Wednesday’s setback at San Antonio.
Charlotte searches for its first road win on its current five-game trip after losing at Cleveland, Indiana, and Washington, while falling at home to Boston in late October, 104-98. The Hornets have won two of the last three visits to TD Garden, including a 114-100 triumph in Boston last season.
Head-to-head stats
— The Wizards captured three of four meetings from the Pistons last season as the two teams meet tonight in Washington. The Pistons were limited to 95 points or less in the three losses, while Washington is 4-0 in the past four home meetings with Detroit.
— Orlando swept the four-game set from Brooklyn last season, including the Magic dropping 139 points on the Nets in their final matchup. Three of the four games finished UNDER the total, as the Nets were limited to 93 points or fewer three times.
— Memphis has dominated Sacramento over the years by winning nine of the last 10 meetings since November 2013, including a three-game sweep last season. The Grizzlies won both home matchups last season as 3 ½-point favorites, winning by four and six points.
— Houston and New Orleans meet for the first time this season at Toyota Center as the Rockets went 3-1 last season against the Pelicans. In both meetings in Houston, each game finished UNDER the total as tonight’s total is listed at 220.
— The Lakers and 76ers hook up in Philadelphia as the home team won each matchup last season. Los Angeles has won three of the past four meetings in Philadelphia, as the Lakers look to snap an 0-8 SU/ATS stretch the last eight games overall.
