Scott Delaney
Heading into the All-Star Break, neither the Washington Wizards or Milwaukee Bucks could have predicted the terrible first half they've both had, after making the playoffs last season.
But both definitely would like to return to the postseason, and the only way they're going to is with an offensive surge.
Washington's John Wall has been playing off the chain heading into the All-Star break, averaging 27.5 points and 11.8 assists in his last four games after putting up 28 and 17 in Tuesday's 111-108 win at New York. Normally a 30 percent 3-point shooter, Wall is firing 41.9 percent over his last 18 games and has hit 11 of 17 over this four-game roll.
And, hitting from beyond the arc is a major reason the Wizards have won the first three meetings from Milwaukee. Washington has shot 51.4 percent from 3-point range in the series, hitting a dozen 3s in each game.
Milwaukee will have no choice by to respond offensively, which is going to help carry this total high. I don't think it'll be a problem, either, since the Bucks are 14-8 at home.
This total soars tonight.
2* Wizards/Bucks Over
Brad Wilton
My comp play for Thursday comes in the NBA as I see Washington and Milwaukee playing Over the posted total.
The Wizards have been putting up the points lately, as they come into the Bradley Center with Overs played in 5 of their last 7 overall. That streak includes Overs in their last pair away from home, and 3 of their last 4 on the highway.
The Bucks just played Over the total on Tuesday night at home against Boston, and have played Over the total in 5 of their last 8. That stretch includes 3 Overs in as many home games.
The series shows Overs in 4 of the last 5 meetings in Milwaukee, and an overall Over clip of 11-4-1 the past 16 series meetings.
With the long All-Star break up next, look for the teams to go all out tonight and put the points on the scoreboard.
Wizards-Bucks Over the total.
4* WASHINGTON-MILWAUKEE OVER
ASA
Appalachian State vs. Texas State
Play: Texas State -4½
Texas State is happy to be at home. They’ve spent much of the last 2 weeks on the road. After playing 4 consecutive road games, TSU finally was able to play at home last Saturday. The problem is, they played one of the top teams in the conference UT Arlington and lost by 12. Texas State showed us something in that game. They got down big trailing by 29 points in the 2nd half. However, they battled back and made it respectable showing us this is a gritty team. Now they get another shot at home against a team that is much more on their level. App State comes in with a 6-17 record and we’re guessing a different mindset. That’s because the Mountaineers lost both games of a 2 game homestand including an excruciating 1 point loss to La Monroe on Saturday. Now going on the road we think it will be tough for this team to rally. While App State will have problems focusing here, TSU will not. This is a revenger for them. They played one of their worst games of the season @ Appalachian State earlier this year and lost by 20. The Mountaineers shot a whopping 62% from inside the arc and 81% from the FT line in that game. The interesting thing is, TSU was actually favored by 3 in that game. Now they are laying just a point or two more at home in a great revenge spot. We’ll take Texas State here.
Lee Williams
Buffalo +140
Sabres a solid value here as they face a Flyer team that has allowed 3 or more goals in 8 of last 10 games and Sabres have scored 3 or more in 5 of last 10 games.Sabres also off 3 straight losses so a perfect chance to slip past a Flyer team that might not have 100% focus here.Flyers just 6-13 following non-conference game. We will take Sabres here