Hornets and Bucks Raining Buckets – Take the Over Tonight

Can The Bucks Handle The Visiting Hornets At All?

I’ve refrained from seriously commenting on the Bucks. Evidently it looks like the only time I made a passing comment about the Bucks this season was in referencing them making the Cavs virtually unstoppable by practically giving them Mo Williams, or discussing Andrew Bogut getting bitch slapped by KG. But I guess with the season closing down, it’s time to visit a franchise I can’t stand in depth.

The Bucks are home dogs tonight as they face one of the most disappointing NBA bets this season, the New Orleans Hornets. Starting off the season as a huge spread buster, the Bucks were ridiculous against the spread, stunning both oddsmakers and betting fans alike. However, since the injury to Michael Redd, and the back injury that has crippled Andrew Bogut, the Bucks have been miserable against the NB betting line.

I love watching the Bucks suffer, and was simply terrified of them shipping Michael Redd before the trade deadline. Not that I’m happy about the injury, Redd is one of the most likable players out there, but we’re talking about a team that has managed themselves in to the ground. On top of that, they kick of the NBA betting weekend with a matchup against a suddenly surging New Orleans team.

NBA Betting Trends

-New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games

-New Orleans is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games

-New Orleans is 4-1 SU in their last 5 on the road

-Milwaukee is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games

-Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games

-Milwaukee is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing New Orleans

-the total has gone OVER in 4 of 6 when Milwaukee plays at home against New Orleans

Regarding New Orleans, I’m not totally convinced this team can travel well. I’ll tell you straight out that the attempt to trade Tyson Chandler only galvanized this team. Chris Paul is a fan of Chandler. New Orleans is too. By having the owners give up on the season by trying to move him, it only motivated this team to get its act together. Going 8-1 SU in their last 9 games is proof of that.

But is it enough to beat the Bucks? The last two times these two teams met, the Hornets won, but only by an average margin of +2.5 points. That won’t be enough tonight if the oddsmakers are right about this one…

New Orleans Hornets (40-23) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (30-37)

Friday, March 13th — Bradley Center, Milwaukee — 8:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: New Orleans -5 (198)

I like the OVER in this game, because of Milwaukee’s tendency to go bananas at home. They rank ninth in the league in home offense with 104.9 points per game, and are a stealthy bet to cover tonight. Though they’ve had trouble in the past, I don’t think that Richard Jefferson or Shrek’s stunt double (Charlie V) letting this one slip away without a fight. I like the Bucks in the OVER tonight to cover.

NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee +5 (OVER)