Stop one of a four-game western trip for the Milwaukee Bucks is Portland for a date with the Trail Blazers Saturday night. For the Blazers, it’s the second of five straight at home — and the second of a back-to-back as they fell 96-93 to Oklahoma City yesterday.

The 32-21 Bucks enter the tilt 1.5 games back of top spot in the Eastern Conference, but in the middle of a jam of six teams within four games of each other. Portland’s hanging on to the final play-in spot in the West although a 21-32 record isn’t encouraging when it comes to doing any post-season damage. Portland’s also riding a three-game losing streak.

Tip-off at Moda Center goes at 10 p.m. EST, with the Bucks as a 10.5-point favourite and the over-under at 227 on the NBA odds.

Bucks vs. Trail Blazers NBA Betting Odds

It’s been all Milwaukee in these teams’ recent clashes, with the Bucks winning outright in nine of their last 10 meetings and covering in seven of them. The Bucks have averaged 119 points a game during those 10 outings too. That said, both teams are not superb against the spread this year — the Bucks are 23-30 ATS and Portland 21-32.

When it comes to the total, the under has hit in five straight Milwaukee–Portland games played at the Moda Center. The under is also 4-1 in Milwaukee’s last five road games. During their last three losses, both Portland and their opponent have failed to reach 100 points. Not having Damian Lillard (injured) in the lineup certainly is affecting the Trail Blazers’ scoring.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have off since Tuesday, winning at home versus the Wizards. The 112-98 victory saw Giannis Antetokounmpo post his fourth triple-double of the season with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists while going an efficient 14 of 21 from the field and five for five from the charity stripe. Antetokounmpo’s 28.9 points per outing ranks third in the entire NBA. As a result, the Greek Freak is one of the favourites to land his third MVP trophy.

Antetokounmpo is a starter in the NBA All-Star game to be played on February, and is joined by teammate Khris Middleton who is a reserve on the East’s squad.

Portland Trail Blazers

Already without Lillard, the Trail Blazers played even more shorthanded yesterday. Larry Nance Jr. missed the contest with knee inflammation, and Portland dealt Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Clippers and got Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, and Keon Johnson back. None of the three arrived in time to suit up yesterday and will not play against Milwaukee.

C.J. McCollum, who’s also rumoured to get traded before Thursday’s trade deadline, tied teammate Anfernee Simons with a team-high 19 points in the loss yesterday.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Trail Blazers?

BUCKS

Away

118

TRAIL BLAZERS

Home

102

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Predictions

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