Prizing:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Wednesday, January 18^th, the (20-20) Milwaukee Bucks will be on the road to take on the (27-9) Houston Rockets.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Rockets 104.6 – Bucks 101.7 with an over/under of 206.3.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Rockets +7.3 (3^rd) > Bucks +1.6 (9^th)

Points per game: Rockets 114.9 (2^nd) > Bucks 105.2 (tied for 15^th)

Points allowed per game: Bucks 103.6 (10^th) > Rockets 107.6 (24^th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Bucks 47.7% (3^rd) > Rockets 46.9% (6^th)

Three Point Percentage: Rockets 37.5% (6^th) > Bucks 37.1% (tied for 7^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Bucks 44.6% (7^th) > Rockets 45.7% (19^th)

Turnovers committed per game: Bucks 13.2 (tied for 14^th) > Rockets 14.8 (24^th)

Turnovers forced per game: Rockets 14.0 (10^th) > Bucks 13.7 (tied for 13^th)

Rebounds per game: Rockets 44.3 (tied for 8^th) > Bucks 42.3 (27^th)

Assists per game: Rockets 25.7 (2^nd) > Bucks 24.9 (4^th)

Summary:

Houston is playing great basketball right now and are (8-2) in their last ten games.  James Harden is playing at an MVP level averaging over 28 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds per night.  Rockets Head coach Mike D’Antoni has them playing with greater pace which has allowed them to better space the floor and score the second most points in the league.  Houston suffers on defense allowing nearly 108 points per game but on most nights, they are able to simply outscore lesser competition.

Milwaukee is just (5-5) in their last ten games.  Giannis Antetokounmpo is having his best season as a professional averaging over 23 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds per game.  The Rockets average nearly ten points per game more than the Bucks so Milwaukee will have to keep them from getting easy transition points.  I like Houston to win at home where they are (16-4) this season.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion with Sporttechie.com senior writer Mark Burns.

Note:

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