MetroBet takes a glance at a pair of NBA games on the docket for Monday.
Milwaukee Bucks (-7) at Brooklyn Nets
Moneyline: Bucks -290, Nets +245
Betting Total: 227.5 points
Time (Eastern), TV: 7:30 p.m., NBATV
Monday’s matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks (38-13) and the Brooklyn Nets (28-26) promises to be fairly one-sided.
The Nets were on a modest winning streak before they lost second-leading scorer Spencer Dinwiddie (17.2 points per game) on Jan. 23 to a thumb injury. Brooklyn is just 2-3 in his absence. The Nets could get even thinner if Joe Harris (13.3 points per game) can’t suit up; the fourth-year small forward is listed as a game-time decision with a hip ailment. Point guard D’Angelo Russell (19.7 points per game) is a great asset but can’t be expected to a carry his team against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.
The Bucks have dominated this matchup historically (11-1 in their last 12 meetings and 24-8-1 against the spread in their last 33 meetings) and are on fire at the moment. Per Oddsshark.com, their plus-11.1 point differential in their last 15 games is second only to the Warriors in the same span.
The aforementioned Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double against the Nets earlier this season. Expect plenty of points from the power forward and for point guard Eric Bledsoe (Achilles) to return to the lineup after a one-game absence.
The play: Bucks spread
Houston Rockets (-8) at Phoenix Suns
Moneyline: Rockets -370, Suns +300
Betting Total: 230 points
Time (Eastern): 9 p.m.
The Houston Rockets (30-22) are just 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games, but there’s as solid case to be made for them as big road favorites over the Phoenix Suns (11-43) on Monday night.
The Suns have dropped 10 straight games, posting a 3-7 spread record in that span. Phoenix allows 112.7 points per game at home, which is 24th in the NBA. The Suns are about a half-point worse on offense at Talking Stick Resort Arena than they are as the visitor, while the Rockets are about 1.3 points per game better on defense when playing away from home.
StatFox research yielded a highly-positive trend for this matchup. The favorite is 34-11 against the spread in their last 45 opportunities when they are an average team (plus-3 points per game differential or better) against a terrible team (minus-7 points per game differential or worse) after 42+ games and after a blowout win of 20 points or more.
James Harden is seemingly good for 30 points a night and has been bolstered by the return of Chris Paul, making for some exciting and high-scoring basketball. Give the points with Houston.
The play: Rockets spread
