NBA betting interest will be piqued on Friday when the Rockets of Houston hit the hard court against the Bucks of Milwaukee.

The Rockets will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 18-13-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Bucks are 15-14-1 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). Houston is 18-14 on the totals; Milwaukee is 13-17.



View Houston vs Milwaukee Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The Rockets were listed as 2.5-point underdogs at many online sportsbooks (including Sportsbook), with the total listed at 213.5 earlier in the day (check Sportsbook for updates during the day).

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 14-rated Bucks and the No. 12-rated Rockets in this matchup. Predictive computer formulas point to a 103-100 win for the Rockets on Friday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Milwaukee's No. 17-ranked offense, averaging 96.3 PPG, against a Rockets defense that ranks No. 29 at 103.5 PPG. The Bucks field goal percentage has averaged 43.3% so far, less than the Rockets shooters have achieved on the year, 45.6% per game.

Defensively, the Rockets feature the league's No. 27-rated defense on the road, giving up 105.2 points per game. Milwaukee, meanwhile, comes in at No. 18 in the league in scoring at home.

In their last action, Houston was a 104-92 Sportsbook at home against the Hornets. They covered the 9.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (196) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Houston got 31 points from James Harden en route to a 104-92 victory over New Orleans on Wednesday at Toyota Center.

Last time out for Milwaukee, they were a 117-110 loser as they battled the Spurs at home. The Bucks failed to cover in the match as a 5.5-point underdog, while 227 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Brandon Jennings chucked in 31 points for Milwaukee on Wednesday, but they still came up short in losing 117-110 at Bradley Center.


Houston Rockets Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Cleveland are 7-3
After playing New Orleans are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Milwaukee Bucks Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Indiana are 5-5
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few Rockets at Bucks trends to consider:
Houston is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Milwaukee
Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing at home against Houston


Next up:
Houston at Cleveland, Saturday, January 5
Milwaukee at Indiana, Saturday, January 5