LA Lakers @ Utah Jazz
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 25 January 2012 - Tip Off 8pm ET
1am (British Standard Time)

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Preview

The Houston Rockets (10-7) are enjoying a 7 game winning run coming into this one as they moved 3 games above 0.500 and moving just a game behind the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division. They will look to extend their winning run at home against the Milwaukee Bucks (6-10).

Houston are enjoying their longest winning run in 4 seasons, but are using the old-adage of taking it just one game at a time and fully focusing on Milwaukee. The Rockets also enter a 4 game run at home hoping to extend their best start in front of their own fans since 2007.

Kevin Martin and Kevin Lowry are giving out strong efforts during this winning run- Martin is averaging 23 points per game while Lowry has 18 points per game during this 7 game winning run. They have been ably backed up from players off the bench to keep the Rockets moving forwards.

It won't be easy against the Milwaukee Bucks who have won back to back road games at New York and Miami, although they have struggled in Houston, being the only team yet to record a win in this Arena which is now 8 years old.

Milwaukee are getting some big efforts out of Brandon Jennings and Shaun Livingston in recent contests and both are going to need to keep that form up if the Bucks have a chance of winning. Jennings has averaged 27 points per game over their last 4 games and he has also added 7 assists per game.

The Bucks have won just 2 of their last 6 games, but both of those have been on the road where they have improved to 2-8 this season.

Head to Head

Houston have not lost at home against Milwaukee since 1999, although they are only 3-3 against the spread in recent games since winning 5 in a row against the spread against them.

The Rockets are just 2-4 against the spread in the last 6 games in the series.

Houston are 6-2 against the spread at home this season, Milwaukee are 3-7 on the road.

Houston are 5-2 against the spread as the favourite this season, Milwaukee are 4-7 as the underdog.

Other Interesting Trends

Houston are just 7-16 against the spread in their last 23 games as the home favourite of between 3.5 and 10 points.

Milwaukee are 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.

They are 3-11 against the spread in their last 14 games against teams from the Western Conference.

Prediction

I am going to back the Houston Rockets to win this game and cover the spread for the following reasons:

First, Houston are in great form at the moment and have a very strong home record against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Second, Milwaukee have had a hard time on the road apart from their last couple of games and have a game against Chicago next on the schedule. They could be more focused in playing a Conference rival than this game at a Western Conference team.

Third, the Rockets have been very good at protecting their home court all season and the spread looks surprisingly low in this situation.

The Pick :

Houston Rockets 94-88 Milwaukee Bucks

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back the Houston Rockets -4 Points @ 1.92