Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets

NBA: 8:00 PM EST

Oct. 24, 2019

TV: TNT
Latest Odds : HOU -2 Total

On Thursday, the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas to face the Houston Rockets in the opening game of the NBA regular season for both. The Bucks are the favorite to win the Eastern Conference. During the offseason, the Bucks lost Malcolm Brogdon but replaced the guard with Wesley Matthews. Two sets of brothers are on the Bucks roster with Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Robin and Brook Lopez. George Hill was re-signed as well.

The Bucks were winners of 60 games last season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals. This season anything less will be a disappointment. Giannis remains one of the league’s elite players and one of just a handful that can be labeled, “one of the best.” With the additions to the lineup and another year with the core of the team playing together the Bucks will return for a deep run in the postseason.

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Houston wants an NBA title and anything less for the franchise will be considered a disappointment. The Rockets will be led once again by league high scorer James Harden. The Chris Paul era in Houston ended as the point guard was sent to Oklahoma City in exchange for triple-double specialist Russell Westbrook. The remaining nucleus of the team returns and players with postseason experience such as Thabo Sefolosha and Tyson Chandler were added.

Four of Houston’s starting five are in their 30s and could become weary by season’s end if not rested during the 82-game season. The question mark remains will the reunion between Harden and Westbrook work out, as both are known to handle the ball often and there is only one ball on the court at a time. Does Westbrook accept a lesser role, only time will tell?

Recent Betting Trends:

Milwaukee is 18-8 ATS in its last 26 on the road

The OVER has cashed in 8 of the Bucks last 10 on the road

Houston is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 at home

The OVER has cashed in 3 of the Rockets last 5 at home

Free Betting Pick: Milwaukee Bucks +2

The Rockets start the Harden-Westbrook second chapter on Thursday, while the Bucks begin the season with about the same roster as last season minus one player. Houston will take time to settle into a playing style with Harden and Westbrook and that could affect how well the team plays as a whole the first few weeks of the season. Milwaukee has the advantage as all its core players except one (Malcolm Brogdon) are together. Final Score Prediction, Milwaukee Bucks win and cover ATS 124-121

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