The Milwaukee Bucks will play host to the Houston Rockets on Friday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Rockets-Bucks prediction and pick.

Milwaukee gets a chance to redeem themselves after losing a devastating shootout against the Rockets just over a week ago. Houston's 143-136 victory over the Bucks saw Kevin Porter Jr. drop an exciting 50-piece in the huge upset. The Rockets haven't won a game and the Bucks haven't lost a game since then, though. Will Milwaukee get revenge for the devastating blow on April 29th?

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Rockets-Bucks odds.

NBA Odds: Rockets-Bucks Odds

Houston Rockets +17 (-110)

Milwaukee Bucks -17 (-110)

Over 231.5 Points (-110)

Under 231.5 Points (-110)

Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread

The Houston Rockets pulled off their biggest win of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks a few weeks ago. When you look back at the Houston Rockets 2020-2021 season, that game will probably be the only one you highlight as a success. The Rockets have yet to win a game since then and have been outscored by 71 points in their last three games played.

The last three games are clear indicators of the lack of talent or sheer determination that this Rockets team possesses. Porter Jr. hasn't surpassed 16 points scored in each of the last three games since that brilliant performance against the Bucks. He suffered an ankle injury in the previous game against the 76ers and has already been ruled out for this game as well.

Truthfully speaking, it will take a similar 50-point performance from Christian Wood in order to cover this spread. Wood has been a bright spot for Houston this season. He is averaging 21 points and 9.6 rebounds on 51.4% shooting in 2021. The Rockets big-man dropped 31 points on 60% shooting from deep in the recent win against Milwaukee.

Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread

There is no sugarcoating this one, the Milwaukee Bucks will look to leave no prisoners in this rematch. The Bucks were the laughing stock of the league for some time after allowing 143 points against this same Rockets team. It seems they've treated the loss as a wake-up call as they've won four straight games since then.

Although the defense has remained an issue for this club, the Bucks have shot the lights out of the gym night in and night out. Milwaukee outscored a lethal Washington Wizards team in their latest win. The Bucks have averaged 124 points per game over their last five and now face a Houston team that is 27th in the league in team defense.

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but the difference-maker in this game will certainly be Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis has been an absolute force of late, averaging 28.1 points per game over his last 10 played. His three-point percentage has been on the rise and his ability to get the rest of his team involved has been improving as well.

Final Rockets-Bucks Prediction & Pick

There's a case to understand the hesitation that may come from seeing a line this large, but don't let it shy you away from looking at the sheer facts. Since the shocking loss, these teams have gone in two completely opposite directions. The Rockets have lost every game and virtually every NBA caliber player. The Bucks have won every game in dominant fashion and are rolling as they hope to climb into one of the top two spots in the Eastern Conference come playoff time. Milwaukee is chomping at the bits to get revenge and take care of business as they continue to surge with the season coming to a close.

FINAL PICK: Milwaukee Bucks -17 (-110)