The Western Conference is loaded with teams capable of a deep playoff run – and you can add the surging Portland Trail Blazers to that list.
The Blazers carry a four-game winning streak into Friday’s encounter with the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. The returns of CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic have bolstered the Blazers’ depth, which will be put to the test against a Bucks team that has fared far worse against the West (12-8 SU) than it has vs. the East (18-9 SU).
These are our favorite NBA free picks and predictions for Bucks vs. Trail Blazers on April 2.
Bucks vs Trail Blazers odds
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonMilwaukee landed on FanDuel's odds board as 3.5-point chalk Thursday evening, dipped to -2.5 by midmorning today and is -3 coming up on 6 p.m. ET. The Bucks are taking 59 percent of spread tickets and 62 percent of spread money. The total opened at 236.5, bottomed out early today at 235.5 and has since surged to 240 on betting splits that don't necessarily speak to that move. The Under is getting 62 percent of tickets, and money is running dead even.
Check out the full line movement for this gameBucks at Trail Blazers betting preview
Injuries
Bucks: PF P.J. Tucker (Out), PF Bobby Portis (Questionable), PG Jeff Teague (Questionable), SF Rodions Kurucs (Probable).
Trail Blazers: PF Zack Collins (Out), SF Nassir Little (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Over is 8-3 in Bucks’ last 11 overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Trail Blazers.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Bucks might not be as formidable as they have looked in years past, but they still have the respect of the oddsmakers, who have made them 3-point favorites Friday night. It feels a bit counterintuitive given how the Blazers have played of late, as they come off a perfect four-game road trip that includes wins over Miami, Orlando, Toronto and Detroit.
Bettors have a host of other factors to consider here, as well: The Trail Blazers are an impressive 9-4 SU in games decided by three or fewer points, and are a sizzling 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six as an underdog of four or fewer points. The Bucks, on the other hand, are just 5-9 SU and ATS in their previous 14 when favored by anywhere from one to four points.
The Bucks are just 12-10 SU away from Fiserv Forum this season, and that simply won't do against a Blazers team that is playing some of its best basketball of the season. We'll gladly recommend the home team and the points here.
PREDICTION: Trail Blazers +3 (-110)
Over/Under pick
When two of the NBA's most high-powered offenses and Over converters lock horns, you can be sure the total will be high – and the books haven't disappointed, listing the O/U at 236.5. That won't faze Over bettors one bit, with the Bucks coming in with a 28-19 O/U record for the season and the Trail Blazers nearly as impressive at 27-20 O/U.
The Bucks are known for their No. 2-ranked offense (118.9 points per game), but they've also been rather leaky on the defensive end of late, having allowed 110+ points in nine of their last 13 games. And that suits the Blazers just fine: They've scored at least 120 points in seven of their past 13 outings to lift their season average to 115.0, good for seventh overall.
Expect one of those "defense-optional" games here, as the Bucks and Blazers exchange buckets all night long.
PREDICTION: Over 236.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
Bettors can go in so many directions here – but we're focusing on the Blazers' offensive lynchpin.
Damian Lillard continues to be one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, even with McCollum back in the fold, entering the night ranked second in the league at 29.8 ppg. And the scoring dip with McCollum in action isn't that pronounced: Lillard averages 28.3 points alongside the talented shooting guard, and 31.2 points when he's not in the lineup.
Both of those averages are higher than his Friday point prop – and there are other reasons to love the Over, as well. Lillard averages 29.7 points at home, and 29.8 points since the All-Star Break. And you can throw out the first meeting between the teams, in which Lillard scored just 19 points in 27 minutes in Milwaukee's 134-106 blowout victory.
We're expecting this game to be a close, high-scoring affair – and that plays right into the Over on this prop.
PREDICTION: Damian Lillard Over 27.5 Points (-102)
Bucks vs Trail Blazers betting card
- Trail Blazers +3 (-110)
- Over 236.5 (-110)
- Damian Lillard Over 27.5 Points (-102)
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