Golden State Warriors (45-22, third in the Western Conference) face reigning NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks (42-25, second in the Eastern Conference) tonight.
For Golden State, this will mark the first of four consecutive home games. They currently are 27-7 at home. On Thursday night, Stephen Curry (averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists this year) led his team to the win over the Denver Nuggets with 34 points (113-102).
Steve Kerr’s guys will try to protect their home, where they average 113.1 points this season. Draymond Green (averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists) and Andre Iguodala will not be available, making this game even tougher.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) is congratulated by guard Stephen Curry (30) after Thompson scored against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
On the other hand, the Bucks are doing just great this time of the season. They have won their last 6 games, with their last victim being the Atlanta Hawks (124-115).
Giannis Antetokounmpo (averaging 29.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6 assists this season) and Bobby Portis (23 points and 15 rebounds last game) have contributed the most during this run.
They seek to take the first position in the East and the home-court advantage in the postseason. The Bucks have showed great chemistry so far, especially after Portis told reporters about Antetokounmpo that ‘it’s fun to be his teammate and fun to play alongside him’.
It is hard to predict the winner of this game, as both teams are equally strong. The Bucks will seek to sweep the two-game season series, after winning the first game back in January 14 (99-118). For their part, the Warriors aim to even the series and extend their winning streak to three games.
I suggest the option of Stephen Curry scoring 24+ points (odds around 1.57) is pretty safe. Second pick is also about Curry outscoring Giannis and be the top scorer of the game (odds at 3.65).
Next picks are about in-form Bobby Portis. The first one is to grab more than 9.5 rebounds (odds around 1.60) and second one to end the game with a double-double (odds at 2.30).
DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls need to protect home against Cavs
At United Center, the Chicago Bulls (40-26, fourth in the Eastern Conference) square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-28, sixth in the Eastern Conference) in a Central Division classic.
The Bulls are coming off a victory over the Pistons in Detroit (114-108), while the Cavs lost to the Miami Heat (117-105). This will be the third matchup between the two teams. Chicago and Cleveland will complete their season series, which could turn into a critical tie-breaker in the tightly contested race, on March 26 in Cleveland.
The Bulls have half a dozen players in the injury or TBD list, including the likes of Zach Lavine (averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists) and Nicola Vucevic (averaging 18 points and 11.4 rebounds).
For his part, Caris LeVert (averaging 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists) is expected to miss tonight’s game. Therefore, the Cavs need to find more offense than they have averaged in the last 10 games (only 107.9 points in a 3-7 run).
The injury list makes this game even tighter than expected. I’m predicting both teams to score less than 222.5 points (odds around 1.90), especially if Lavine and Vucevic are not available.
Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press
However, my safe pick is the handicap +7.5 for the Cavaliers at odds around 1.57, as I think this will be pretty close until the last second.
Safe bets
Golden State Warriors – Milwaukee Bucks: Stephen Curry over 23.5 points (1.57)
Bobby Portis over 9.5 rebounds (1.60)
Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers: Cavs +7.5 (1.57)
Value bets
Golden State Warriors – Milwaukee Bucks: Stephen Curry top scorer (3.65)
Bobby Portis double-double (2.30)
Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers: under 222.5 points (1.90)
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