Posted on 12/10/2007 4:17:28 PM

NBA Basketball Betting – Bucks at Kings

By Charles Jay

The Milwaukee Bucks (8-11 SU, 6-10-1 ATS) will go after their third road win of the season when they visit Arco Arena on Monday night to play the Sacramento Kings (7-12 SU, 10-8 ATS) in an NBA game scheduled to begin at 10 PM EST. In the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds, the Kings are listed at -5.5, with the total posted at 198 points.

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: SACRAMENTO -5.5, Total 198

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* SAC has covered eight of the last 12 meetings

* SAC has won five of the last six meetings SU

* SAC has covered four of the last six meetings at home

* SAC has won five of the last six meetings in Arco Arena

* Four of the last five meetings in SAC have gone UNDER the total

The Bucks have some firepower in the backcourt, with Maurice Williams and Michael Redd combining for 38.6 ppg. And Andrew Bogut is solid if not spectacular, pulling down 8.5 rebounds and blocking two shots a contest. But Milwaukee is not a strong defensive team, yielding 47% shooting by the opposition, and that always hurts when you go on the road. Also:

* MILW has lost seven of its last eight games SU

* MILW has won just four of its last 25 road games SU

* MILW has lost six straight games ATS

* MILW is 1-7-1 ATS on the road this season

* MILW is 2-9 SU on the road this season

* MILW is at minus-5.1 in point differential

Losing Kevin Martin, who is out indefinitely with a groin injury, is a big blow because the Kings were getting used to his 24.5 ppg and five rebounds per contest. Mike bibby was already out of the lineup, so now there are a bunch of "no-names" getting significant playing time for Sacramento, including John Salmons (who scored 13 straight points in a recent game against Utah), Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih (who scored 24 points last time out against Denver). But they've been doing better than expected, and the Kings have scored wins over teams like San Antonio, Houston and Utah on their home floor.

* SAC has won three of its last nine games SU

* SAC has won six of its last nine home games

* SAC has played four of its ten home games UNDER the total

* SAC is 8-2 ATS at home

* SAC is averaging 100 ppg

There is more scoring power in the Milwaukee lineup, but the Bucks are not big on the defensive end. And with the presence of Ron Artest, Sacramento has a defensive stopper. Besides, we like the disparity in the home/road trend here, which is important in the NBA. Milwaukee, which played a tough overtime game in Portland last night (losing 117-113), have not demonstrated an ability to rise to the occasion on the road, while the Kings have played inspired ball at Arco Arena. With or without the high-scoring Martin, until we see a change in these trends, we'll lay the points with the Kings, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: SACRAMENTO

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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)