Desperation Building in Golden State

After losing seven of their last eight games, the Warriors (23-27 SU, 22-28 ATS) are in a battle for their playoff lives. Golden State opened as a 6.5-point home underdog to the Bucks (32-17, 22-27), who have won seven of their last eight games on the road.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Not many sportsbooks had posted a betting line by Tuesday morning, likely waiting for more certainty regarding the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak sat out Saturday’s contest in Sacramento on the second night of a back-to-back, but he was listed as probable on Tuesday’s injury report.

Milwaukee News & Notes

With Antetokounmpo sitting to nurse his recent knee sprain and Khris Middleton struggling badly with his shot, Milwaukee’s supporting cast stepped up to lead the Bucks to their third straight win Saturday in Sacramento.

Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez both posted season highs in points, scoring 33 and 26 respectively, while Donte DiVincenzo added 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in Milwaukee’s 129-128 win.

The Bucks also benefited from the return of top reserve Bobby Portis, who had missed Milwaukee’s previous four games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Portis came off the bench to score 18 points in 20 minutes, helping the Bucks overcome Middleton’s 4-of-16 shooting night from the floor. Pat Connaughton started in place of Antetokounmpo and played 31 minutes, sealing the victory with a pair of late free throws.

Despite improving to 7-1 SU in their last eight road games, the Bucks failed to cover the 3-point spread and fell to 3-7 ATS in their last 10 overall. Milwaukee has also gone OVER the total in nine of its last 13 games.

Golden State News & Notes

A 1-7 SU and ATS skid in their last eight games has the Warriors in danger of missing the playoffs, and a lack of discipline defensively has been a big reason why. Golden State gave the Hawks 45 free throws Sunday in Atlanta, spoiling a 37-point effort from Steph Curry in a 117-111 loss. On the season, Golden State ranks third-last in the NBA in free throws allowed, yielding an average of 21.7 attempts per game from the charity stripe.

Curry (tailbone) and Draymond Green (finger) both returned from injuries that forced them to miss Friday’s embarrassing 53-point loss to the Raptors. Green stuffed the stat sheet once again with 11 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Kelly Oubre Jr. added 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting as the Warriors outscored Atlanta 62-34 in the paint but couldn’t overcome the disparity at the free-throw line.

Betting Pick: Bucks -6.5

Milwaukee has won each of its last three visits to Golden State by at least nine points and should cruise again against the free-falling Warriors.