The Phoenix Suns (51-12) meet the Milwaukee Bucks (39-25) Sunday in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Tip-off at Fiserv Forum is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we look at the Suns vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Phoenix is on a two-game win streak entering Sunday with home wins versus the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday (120-90) and New York Knicks Friday (115-114). The Suns are 3-2 straight up (SU) and 2-3 against the spread (ATS) following the All-Star Game.
Milwaukee is on a three-game win streak (2-1ATS) with victories over the Charlotte Hornets (130-106 Monday), Miami Heat (120-119 Wednesday) and Chicago Bulls (118-112 Friday). The Bucks are 3-1 straight up (SU) and 2-2 ATS since the All-Star break.
The Suns smoked the Bucks 131-107 in Phoenix Feb. 10, easily covering as 3-point home favorites. However, the Suns will be without the injured G Chris Paul Sunday. Paul tied a season-high with 19 assists versus the Bucks last month.
Suns at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:11 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Suns +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Bucks -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Suns +7.5 (-108) | Bucks -7.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Suns at Bucks key injuries
Suns
- SG Devin Booker (illness) out
- SF Cameron Johnson (quadriceps) out
- PG Chris Paul (hand) out
Bucks
- SG Pat Connaughton (finger) out
- C Brook Lopez (back) out
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Suns at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 121, Suns 108
Money line
PASS because the Bucks (-380) are clearly the right side but they are also far too expensive for an NBA regular-season ML favorite.
Milwaukee would need an off-shooting game plus Phoenix would need someone random to step up for the Suns (+290) to cash.
However, the Bucks should ultimately put a beating on the Suns who are without their two best players.
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Against the spread
BET the BUCKS -7.5 (-112) for 1 unit for the obvious reasons. I’d play Milwaukee’s spread up to -8.5.
Not only are Booker and CP3 sidelined but Phoenix’s leading scorer from its thrilling 115-114 Friday victory against the Knicks is out. Johnson scored a career-high 38 points on 68.8% shooting (9-for-12 on 3-pointers).
The Suns would need Johnson (plus some) to have a chance of keeping pace with this lethal Bucks offense that has scored at least 118 points in each of their last five games.
The situation of a nationally televised matinee between last season’s conference winners almost ensures the BUCKS -7.5 (-112) will take care of business against the Suns.
Over/Under
PASS because Milwaukee likes to push the pace, hoist a ton of 3-pointers and spends a lot of time at the charity stripe.
However, it’s tough to predict what we see out of Phoenix’s offense or defense for that matter.
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