This is a 10* TOP THURSDAY NBA TOTAL on the OVER Bucks/Rockets.

The Bucks are pushing hard towards the playoffs, looking to build momentum and secure the No. 1 spot in the East.

The Rockets' season has been over for a long time. In fact, they just shutdown top player John Wall for the remainder of the year as precautionary measure.

So why is the game going OVER the total, instead of UNDER?

At this point, forget about the offensive and defensive seasonal averages for each club, we're basing this pick primarily on the situation and strong trends.

Milwaukee has seen the total go UNDER in three straight. The Bucks have a golden opportunity to post back-to-back victories here, as they have a game at Chicago tomorrow night. After that, it's a home and home set against the East leading Nets.

This is an important stretch for Milwaukee and I expect it to come out firing here in this opening contest in Houston.

And for the Rockets, they have nothing to lose here except another game. There's no rivalry here, so expect defense to take a back seat to a wide-open, offensive affair.

The play is the OVER.

Good luck, NP