Both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks are on a roll, each carrying an undefeated streak into their faceoff this Saturday down in Dallas. Will the Bucks embarrass Dallas? Or, will the Mavericks stymie Milwaukee?
Catch this game live on Saturday, December 10, at 11 AM, Manila time.
Away: Milwaukee Bucks (17-6/6-3 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Grayson Allen
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez
Fresh off a 126-113 humbling of the Sacramento Kings, the Bucks will look to extend their win streak to four games when they visit Dallas. The last time the Bucks met Dallas, they scored a 124-115 win last November at home over Luka Doncic and company. Moreover, the last time the Bucks were in Texas to play the Mavs, Milwaukee won, 102-95, a season ago. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 30 points in the first meeting this season with Dallas, has been on fire of late, averaging 34.7 points on a scorching 59.0 FG% in his last nine games.
Unlike in the first game this season against Dallas, the Bucks will have Khris Middleton this time around. He is another weapon Milwaukee can use to successfully solve the Mavs’ offense again. The Bucks shot 55.8 FG% in the win over the Mavs and won the rebounding battle, 40-32. Milwaukee figures to win the possession battle and get more shots in this rematch, considering the Bucks are top 8 in the NBA in both offensive and defensive rebounding rates.
The Bucks are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games against a team with a winning record.
Home: Dallas Mavericks (13-11/10-3 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Luka Doncic
- SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
- SF: Reggie Bullock
- PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
- C: JaVale McGee
Like the Bucks, Dallas is on a three-game win streak entering Saturday’s contest. The Mavs beat the Denver Nuggets in a thriller Wednesday on the road, 116-115. Doncic scored just 22 points in that game, but the Mavs were able to pull through in large part because of the hot hands of Tim Hardaway Jr., who exploded for 29 points on the strength of six 3-pointers.
As a team, the Mavs drilled a total of 17 threes on just 36 attempts for a high 47.2 3FG%. On average, Dallas is just 16h in the NBA with 111.7 points per game but adjusted for efficiency, the Mavs are sixth overall with 114.3 points per 100 possessions. The good thing about the Mavs is that they also can play defense. They are fourth in the league with just 108.7 points allowed per game and fifth with 110.6 points surrendered per 100 possessions. Over the Mavs’ last three games, their opponents have combined for a horrible 41.0 FG% and an atrocious 26.6 3FG%.
The Mavs are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Mavs (+1.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (222.5) hits the Over.
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