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NBA weekly betting trends: Parker injury kills Bucks’ chances

By Jeff Glauser

Jan 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) dunks during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) dunks during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks have been perfecting their waltz lately: One step forward, two steps back.

The start of last week looked promising. Swingman Khris Middleton returned from a torn hamstring suffered in September. The Bucks would finally have their Big Three on the court together, consisting of incomparable All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, borderline All-Star Jabari Parker and Middleton, the team’s best perimeter shooter. The future was bright in Milwaukee, the Bucks likely were going to the playoffs and they were going to become a good team to start backing this season in NBA betting.

Not even three quarters into Middleton’s season debut last Wednesday, those warm and fuzzies were overshadowed when Parker went down after grazing a defender on a drive to the lane. The next day, an MRI revealed a torn ACL—the same injury that limited his rookie campaign to just 25 games.

Next: NBA weekly betting trends: The Nets are a mess

Parker had a case to be an All-Star reserve this season, averaging career-highs in points (20.1), rebounds (6.2), assists (2.8) and minutes (33.9). Now he needs 12 months of recovery, meaning not only is this season likely shot for Milwaukee but the 2017-18 campaign could be too. Coming back from a second torn ACL in the same knee is almost unprecedented so it’s fair to wonder if Parker will ever be the same player, even though he’s only 21.

Even with Parker, the Bucks were a terrible betting choice at 21-32 against the spread in NBA betting at Sportsbook Review Forum’s top sportsbooks. This puts even more pressure on Antetokounmpo, who’s on pace to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. The only players in NBA history (since 1946-47) to lead their teams in all of those categories for a full season are Dave Cowens, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Scottie Pippen.

The Bucks are battling for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but it probably would benefit the franchise to get back in the lottery. The problem is that there are a handful of other less-talented teams in the league that likely feel the same way, making Milwaukee a tough squad to even bet against.

But it could always be worse for head coach Jason Kidd: At least he’s not still coaching the Brooklyn Nets.

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