Milwaukee agree tearms with Dallas Mavericks today
With a turbulent January behind them at last, the Milwaukee Bucks look for their first win under Doc Rivers tonight as they take on the depleted Dallas Mavericks.
While the Bucks remain a powerhouse in the NBA odds, they went 8-8 last month and have dropped two in a row, including a 119-116 loss in Damian Lillard’s Portland homecoming earlier this week.
Still, things are much rosier for a Dallas team with a mounting injury list. Playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks were crushed 121-87 by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, and Jason Kidd is going to need big minutes from his backups again here.
Check out my free NBA picks and predictions for Bucks vs. Mavericks on Saturday, February 3.
If the Milwaukee Bucks
are going to turn a rocky year into a title season, it’s time to turn the page and get serious. With both the Knicks and Cavaliers surging, Milwaukee is in danger of tumbling down the standings if its patchy form continues.
However, the visitors may be getting a helping hand from the schedule-makers tonight, with the Dallas Mavericks likely to be without four starters. Although Luka Doncic is set to return, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are doubtful, Derrick Jones Jr. is questionable, and Dante Exum has been ruled out.
I expect a healthy Milwaukee roster to pounce, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard overcoming Luka’s one-man show. Yes, the Bucks are only 11-11 on the road, but this line feels light given the Bucks’ urgency and the Mavericks’ absentees.
Despite all the shot-makers on show, it’s the respective defenses that I’m watching closely. I like the visitors to show renewed energy on that end of the floor under Doc Rivers, returning to their stingy ways in the paint.
On the flip side, this Dallas defense has been wretched for weeks and holds the worst defensive rating in the NBA over the past 10 games. Milwaukee can’t afford a lackluster effort in this primetime spot, so I’m betting on the Bucks to cover this small spread.
