The set-up: Two hungry teams collide on Friday night and I think that points will be plentiful. The Bucks hammered the Wizards 148-129 on Wednesday, while Dallas enters off a 99-93 win over Charlotte at home on Wednesday. The Mavericks will be hungry here to avenge a 116-106 road loss in the first meeting between the clubs. Milwaukee is surging still as it comes in having won five straight. Overall Milwaukee averages 117.8 PPG, while allowing 107.6. Dallas has won five of its last seven and it averages 109.1 PPG, while allowing 108.4. With nothing to lose, I'm expecting these non-conference opponents to push the pace from start to finish.

The pick: Note as well that Milwaukee has seen the total go "over" the number in four of its last five after covering the spread three straight times as a favorite, while Dallas has seen the total go "over" in seven of its last nine home game after failing to score 100 points in a victory in its previous outing. This number is a little low, play the "over."

10* play