NBA Betting: Bucks Bid For Bounce-Back

The NBA delivers a light schedule on Thursday this week with only two games on tap, starting with a Central Division clash between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks are coming off a shocking 114-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns as a 13.5-point favorite at Bovada Sportsbook. That was Milwaukee’s second straight loss and it dropped the Bucks to 5-2 straight up and 3-4 against the spread in their last seven. Milwaukee continues to excel at home at 7-1 SU, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride for bettors. In those eight games, the Bucks were only 3-5 ATS, and they’ve lost their last three home games ATS.

The Pacers defeated the Chicago Bulls 105-96 as a 6.5-point favorite last time out. They’re 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five with two of those losses coming as the favorite. Indiana hasn’t been a great bet on the road lately at 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS in its last eight games.

The Bucks and Pacers have already met up three times this season with Milwaukee taking two of three both SU and ATS. The teams last faced off in Indiana on February 13 and the Bucks won 106-97 as a 4.5-point road favorite. In their last five home games against the Pacers, the Bucks are 4-1 SU and ATS.

Totals bettors may want to look toward the UNDER in this one as five of the last six matchups between Milwaukee and Indiana have gone UNDER the posted total.

Thunder, Blazers both coming off upset losses

The other game on the Thursday night schedule is a Northwest Division showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Thunder have been awful lately and are coming off a 131-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves as a 2-point favorite. Oklahoma City has dropped eight in a row ATS while going 2-6 SU. On the road the Thunder have lost four straight both SU and ATS.

Portland is also coming off an upset loss after falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 120-111 as a 5.5-point favorite last time out. That snapped a seven-game ATS winning streak during which the Trail Blazers were 6-1 SU. Portland continues to be tough at home at 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11.

Oklahoma City has owned this matchup so far this season, going 3-0 SU and ATS vs Portland. In their last matchup on February 11, the Thunder won 120-111 as a 4.5-point home favorite.

Prior to this season the trends were the exact opposite, as Portland had won five straight against the Thunder SU and ATS. At home to the Thunder, the Trail Blazers are 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS in their last nine.