Neither the Milwaukee Bucks nor the Houston Rockets invade Orlando with their playoff future in doubt. The former is a lock to secure the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed, while the latter is already in the playoffs but can improve upon its seeding dependent upon how it performs over the next eight games before the playoffs kick into high gear. This will be the second game in Orlando for both squads after the Bucks took on the Celtics on Friday, while the Rockets ran with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. With that, it remains to be seen how all-out the Bucks decide to go in what relatively amounts to just another scrimmage with the main goal of getting mentally and physically prepared for the postseason a top priority. That’s definitely something to take into account when betting this game on the NBA odds at online sportsbooks.
This game will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 2, 2020, and the game will be broadcast live on ABC. You can bet on NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu the remainder of the season.
Futures Odds Analysis
Only the Los Angeles Lakers +219 currently have shorter odds to win the NBA title than that of the Milwaukee Bucks +300. On top of that, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his mates check in as the decided -210 chalk to take down the Eastern Conference. As for the Rockets, James Harden and company offer up an attractive 12-1 return to win the NBA championship and a +615 return to win the Western Conference.
Head-To-Head Results
These squad’s crossed paths only once in the shortened NBA betting season, and it just so happened to take place all the way back at the beginning of it. Milwaukee went on to win that game outright 117-111 as short 1.5-point underdogs. The “Greek Freak” led all scorers with 30 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 11 assists; how about starting the year off with a triple-double – man he’s good! Russell Westbrook and “The Beard” combined for 43 points, 23 rebounds and 21 assists but it still wasn’t enough to hold serve. The triumph moved the Bucks to 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three meetings. The total has now cashed under tickets each of the last four times these squads ran up against one another.
Matchup to Watch
Milwaukee seemingly had its way offensively in this year’s lone skirmish. As a team, the offense connected on 46 percent of its shots and launched an absurd 47 attempts from beyond the arc; connecting on 16 of them! With that, it’s pretty safe to assume Houston is going to need to find a way to limit the damage Milwaukee’s shooters do from long range if they’re to score a huge win in Orlando that likely helps improve their playoff positioning. The Rockets shot 39 free throws compared to the Bucks 18, but much of that disparity was likely because the game took place in the Toyota Center. Regardless, Houston would really improve its chances if it can take advantage of Milwaukee at the charity stripe once again.
Injury Report
It’s already widely known that Houston will be without the services of Thabo Sefolosha and David Nwaba for the remainder of the season. Austin Rivers is currently listed as probable after he left the bubble and returned to tend to a personal matter. That’s not the case for DeMarre Carroll with the small forward listed as questionable due to a balky hamstring. As for Milwaukee, it could be without the services of third leading scorer Eric Bledsoe who is still trying to fend off the symptoms of COVID-19 after testing positive months ago. Also listed as questionable is Marvin Williams, Patrick Connaughton and Thanasis Antetokounmpo with varying ailments.
NBA Odds Pick
Before you even think about putting a wager down on this game, I’d make it a point to see what type of effort Milwaukee puts forth against Boston first. Regardless, I don’t think it will matter either way. The Bucks likely won’t be ramping up their level of play until the late stages of this end of season eight-game schedule. With that, I’d look to back the Rockets in this contest pregame, and then come back over the top on the live betting pointspread and money line should Milwaukee get out to any kind of substantial early lead. Houston needs this game more, and it will find a way to come out on top of it; likely going away!
Prediction: Rockets 118, Bucks 104
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