NBA Free Picks - Bucks vs Kings
by Dave D
An Eastern Conference playoff team faces a Western Conference also-ran, as Milwaukee visits Sacramento in a Friday night contest.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Sacramento Kings
Friday, March 19th – 10:05 PM ET
Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
Broadcast: CSNS
: Bucks -3
The Week That Was: Bucks
Coach Scott Skiles is presiding over one of the NBA’s feel-good stories. The Bucks struck gold before the trading deadline and are continuing to play generally solid basketball.
On Friday, March 12, Milwaukee stopped the Utah Jazz, 95-87. The Bucks hounded Utah on defense, causing the Jazz to go 0 for 10 from 3-point range. Milwaukee also outscored Utah by seven points at the foul line in a game that was ultimately decided by eight points.
On Sunday, March 14, the Bucks fought off the Indiana Pacers, 98-94. The Bucks carried a 14-point lead into the final period, only to see the Pacers roar back. Indiana trimmed a double-digit deficit to just two points with 36 seconds left, but couldn’t hit a game-tying basket in the final half minute.
On Wednesday, March 17, the Bucks began a road swing at Los Angeles against the Clippers, and the travel did not suit Skiles’ roster. The Bucks bowed to the Clippers, 101-93, as L.A. used a 14-2 run to take control in the fourth period. The Clips shot 53 percent from the field and hit 6 of 12 3-pointers in the eight-point triumph.
The Week That Was: Kings
Coach Paul Westphal’s club is nearing the finish line. On Friday, March 12, the Kings lost to Portland, 110-94. Sacramento did hit 51 percent of its shots, but so did the victorious Trail Blazers. Moreover, Portland dismantled the Kings at the foul line, winning that game-within-the-game by a plus-17 margin (29 points to 12).
On Sunday, March 14, the Kings got into the win column by topping Minnesota, 114-100. Sacramento got healthy against one of the few teams in the NBA that has a worse record than the Kings. Westphal’s prized rookie, Tyreke Evans, dominated the proceedings by posting 29 points, dishing out 11 assists, and snagging nine boards in a tremendous effort that fell one rebound short of a triple-double.
On Tuesday, March 16, Sacramento gave the world champion Los Angeles Lakers a bold run at home, but ultimately fell to the Lake Show by a 106-99 score. The Lakers’ big hitters played well and prevented the Kings from scoring the upset. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol posted 28, and Andrew Bynum delivered 21 points and 12 boards for the Lakers.
Outlook & Pick
The Bucks have won 12 of 14, but they did stumble against the Clippers on Wednesday night. That game should be treated as an aberration and not as a sign of continuing struggle for Milwaukee. The Bucks have been electric ever since John Salmons came to them in a trade from the Chicago Bulls. One should not expect Sacramento to overcome a Milwaukee team that will have one day off in preparation for this contest. Had this game been the second end of a back-to-back set, the Kings would have stood a better chance of winning. Not now.
Basketball Betting Pick: Bucks
