The Washington Wizards will take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Wizards-Bucks prediction and pick.

FanDuel March Madness

At the start of the season, it looked like these teams could both end up in the playoffs. Now, it's clear that the Wizards won't be participating in any postseason basketball. Washington is 30-41, a record that has earned them the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. It's been another bad, but expected, season for the Wizards. The Bucks, on the other hand, look like they're well on their way to defend their 2021 NBA Championship. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has led his squad to a 45-27, which is tied for the second-bets mark in the East. A win here would propel Milwaukee into a half-game lead for the second seed, so there's plenty at stake in this one.

Here are the Nets-Grizzlies NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: Wizards-Bucks Odds

Washington Wizards: +9 (-110)

Milwaukee Bucks: -9 (-110)

Over: 228.5 (-110)

Under: 228.5 (-110)

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Why The Wizards Could Cover The Spread

Washington's offense has a chance to perform well in this game. The Wizards haven't been a great offensive team, as they only score 108 points per game. Their excellent shooting numbers suggest that Washington can improve on that number. The Wizards shoot nearly 47% from the field overall, including a 54% shooting percentage from inside the arc. Milwaukee allows their opponents to shoot 53% from two-point range and 35% from beyond the arc, two mediocre numbers. Washington's offense should be able to capitalize on those numbers to put forward a decent offensive day.

Injuries are beginning to have an impact on every team in the league, and Milwaukee is no exception. The Bucks will be without their two best players in this one, as Antetokounmpo and guard Khris Middleton have already been ruled out. Combined, the duo averages 50 points per game, seventeen rebounds per game, and eleven assists per game. They're also the two best defenders that Milwaukee has. The Bucks will struggle without their two best players in this game.

Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread

The Bucks shouldn't exactly struggle on offense either, even without Middleton and Antetokounmpo. The Wizards have been a mediocre defensive team all season long, allowing 111 points per game on 46% shooting from the field. Washington also allows their opponents to shoot 35% from three, one of the higher numbers in the league. That's perfect for a Milwaukee team that shoots fourth-most threes per game at a 37% clip. The Bucks should be able to hang around offensively in this one.

Washington has been one of the worst teams in the entire league at covering the spread. The Wizards are 28-42-2 against the spread on the season, with an 11-23-1 record ATS when they play on the road. Milwaukee hasn't been great against the spread, but they've certainly been better than those records. It'll help that Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma will miss this game with a knee injury. Kuzma is Washington's third-leading scorer and their rebounds leader, so his absence will be felt here.

Final Wizards-Bucks Prediction & Pick

Neither team looks particularly appealing here. The Bucks are missing key players, and the Wizards have been incapable of covering in games like this one. Instead of either team, the over is the best pick on the board. Milwaukee is missing their two best defenders and the Wizards have never seemed to like playing defense. Lock in the over with confidence.

FINAL WIZARDS-BUCKS PREDICTION & PICK: Ov 228.5 Points (-110)