NBA: Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Dallas Mavericks visit the Milwaukee Bucks this Sunday. While the guests attack the third place in the West, the home side hopes to reach the top spot in the East and home-court advantage throughout the whole conference playoffs. Both units are coming off losses, the Mavs in Washington and the Bucks at home, which means that they should come out with a huge sense of urgency, and that promises a solid spectacle. From what we’ve witnessed in the respective recent events, the Mavs and the Bucks play very good basketball, so it should be fun to watch their matchup at Fiserv Forum.

Preview

Dallas Mavericks (48-30, TBA) lost in DC following three consecutive victories, the first two at home to the Jazz, the second vs Lakers, and the latest against the Cavs on the road. But after that, the Wizards stomped the Mavs, 135-103. It was one of the biggest and the most painful defeats for Jason Kidd’s unit this season.

The hosts were better than Dallas in pretty much all the aspects of play. The shooting percentage was most important because the Mavs allowed the Wizards to shoot 54.4% from the field and 51.5% from behind the three-point line.

Luka had 36 points, seven boards, and six assists, Jalen Brunson added 21 with five boards, and there weren’t any other players with a double-digit number of points among the Mavs.

Milwaukee Bucks (48-29, TBA) if the Mavs had suffered a tough loss, what can the Bucks say following their humiliation at home against the Clippers. The team from LA won 153-119 against the NBA champions, who suffered one of the biggest home losses in the last 10 years.

While the Clippers dropped 23 threes, the Bucks managed to hit only eight. Though, we need to say that several of their very important players didn’t play, among them Giannis, Holiday, and Middleton. All of them are game-time decisions for tonight, but for sure, at least one won’t play. Mike Budenholzer wants his boys 100% healthy for the playoffs and he is ready to sacrifice the finish of the regular season.

Jordan Nwora had a team-high 28 points, Bobby Portis scored 25 and had eight boards, while Jevon Carter dropped 18 with eight assists.

Head to Head Games

The Bucks won in Dallas, 102-95. They managed to break the Mavs in the final 12 minutes and earn the win, mostly due to Middleton who had 26 points. Jrue Holiday added 24 and Boogie Cousins, who played for the Bucks back then added 22. Jalen Brunson scored 19 for the home team, Ntilikina had 14, while Luka didn’t play. Giannis was absent for the guests.

Prediction

The latest information suggests that Giannis won’t play, the same as Middleton, which is a huge blow for the home side. With all due respect for all the other players involved, but we simply don’t believe that they have the ability to defy the Mavs and their solid defense. Yes, Dallas was blown into pieces against the Wizards, but still, that was because of the hosts’ very good shooting night. Therefore, we are taking some risks here and backing up the guests. But just to mention that, you should follow the news and if eventually Giannis and Middleton do play, walk away from this bet.

Pick: Dallas Wins