At 8:00 ET, the Milwaukee Bucks (-119) will host the Minnesota Timberwolves (-102) in a non-conference matchup. The Bucks are favored by 1 point, and the over/under line is currently 228.5.

Both teams are looking to break losing streaks, as the Timberwolves (35-26) have dropped two straight, while the Bucks (33-18) have lost their last two as well.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS MILWAUKEE BUCKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -1

This game will be played at Fiserv Forum at 8:00 ET on Thursday, February 8th.

WHY BET THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 125-116 in favor of the Bucks.
  • Our projections have Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with Giannis Antetokounmpo points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Bucks finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.5% and knocking down 15 threes.

Does Minnesota Have What it Takes to Win as Road Underdogs?

In Minnesota’s games this season, the average over/under line is 222.9, which is lower than today’s line of 228.5. The Timberwolves have gone 25-26 on the O/U this season.

Minnesota’s last game vs. the Bulls had a combined score of 252 points, which easily went over the O/U line of 217. The Timberwolves lost the game by a score of 129-123.

Against the spread, Minnesota is 25-25 this season and has covered the spread in two straight games as the underdog. Today, they are getting one point as the underdog.

Out of Minnesota’s 51 games, they have been the underdog in 10 of them. As the underdog, they have a scoring differential of -2.6 points per game. Overall, they are 35-16 and are in 2nd place in the Western Conference.

Minnesota’s Western Conference record is 24-8, and they are 11-8 against non-conference opponents. On the road, the Timberwolves are 16-11 compared to 19-5 at home.

So far this season, the Timberwolves have been an above-average offensive team, ranking 22nd in points per game at 113.1. When playing on the road, they have averaged 113.5 points per game compared to 112.7 at home.

Minnesota’s offense has been efficient overall, ranking 8th in field goal percentage (48%). They have also been one of the most accurate three-point shooting teams in the league, hitting 39% of their attempts (2nd).

When it comes to pace, the Timberwolves are 25th in the NBA at 97.5 possessions per game. In terms of assists, they are 17th, averaging 26.3 per contest.

Coming into the game, the Timberwolves defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 25.5% of their games. Currently, they are 1st in the NBA at 107.1 points per game allowed. When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Timberwolves squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 50.5% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 35.4% from downtown.

Can the Bucks Secure a Win at Home?

The Bucks are favored by 1 point at home today against the Timberwolves. This season, Milwaukee has been favored in 46 of their 51 games and has a record of 33-13 as the favorite.

Despite being favored in all but five games, the Bucks have an ATS record of just 19-32. At home, they are 10-16 ATS and have an average scoring differential of +6.5 points per game.

On the season, the Bucks have an O/U record of 28-23, and the under has hit in their last five games. Today’s O/U line of 228.5 is lower than their season average of 239.9.

In their last game, the Bucks lost to the Suns by a score of 114-106. The O/U line for that game was 242.5, and the Bucks were 6-point underdogs going into the game.

Overall, the Bucks are 33-18 this season, which is good for 2nd place in the Central Division and 3rd in the Eastern Conference.

At home, the Bucks are averaging 125.6 points per game, which is 2nd in the league. Overall, they are 2nd in scoring at 123.3 points per game. They have outscored the NBA scoring average in 74.5% of their games.

In terms of pace, Milwaukee is 2nd in the league at 101.9 possessions per game. They are also 2nd in field goal percentage at 49%. From two-point range, they are 2nd in the NBA at 58%.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the Bucks are 6th in the league at 37%. They are 5th in made three-pointers per game at 14.2. In terms of free throws, Milwaukee is 2nd in both attempts and makes.

Coming into the game, the Bucks’ defense is giving up an average of 119.8 points per game. So far, they have given up more points than the NBA league average in 66.7% of their games. Inside the arc, the Bucks defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 54.9% and 34.6% from three-point territory.