The Milwaukee Bucks (21-14) travel to the FedExForum Thursday to play the Memphis Grizzlies (16-15) at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Bucks-Grizzlies odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Milwaukee got routed by Denver, 128-97, at home at 8-point favorites Tuesday, snapping a 5-game winning streak (4-1 ATS). If the Bucks ain’t covering then they are getting crushed: Five of Milwaukee’s previous six ATS losses have been by at least an 11.5-point ATS margin.
The Grizzlies have won two straight and three of their last four games with each win being by at least 14 points and a 15-point ATS margin. Over those four games, Memphis is shooting 40.6% from three and winning the turnover battle 18-11 on average.
These teams split last season’s series 1-1 overall and ATS. Milwaukee’s win came in Memphis, and the Grizzlies beat the Bucks without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo during the NBA restart in the Orlando bubble.
Bucks at Grizzlies: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Grizzlies +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bucks -6 (-110) | Grizzlies +6 (-110)
- Over/Under: 233.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Bucks at Grizzlies: Key injuries
Bucks
Nothing affecting the betting odds.
Grizzlies
- SG Grayson Allen (concussion) out
- PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Bucks at Grizzlies: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bucks 121, Grizzlies 108
Money line (ML)
PASS since I’m on Milwaukee to win and cover, but the Bucks (-275) is too expensive for them or any NBA regular-season favorite for that matter.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The Grizzlies thrive off of production NBA’s “miscellaneous” metrics such as points off of turnover (1st), fast-break points (2nd) and paint points per game (1st).
However, Milwaukee’s defense is essentially the best in the Association in these metrics—top-6 in each category—and Memphis’s 3-point shooting isn’t good enough to take advantage of the Bucks’ 23rd ranked 3-point defense.
Also, first-year Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is back in the lineup after missing time with COVID-19, and Holiday neutralized Grizzlies 2019-20 Rookie of the Year guard Ja Morant when they went head-to-head last season.
Morant scored just 14.3 points per game on .362/.200/.750 shooting whereas Holiday gave him 23.0 points per game on .556/.556/.818 shooting in their three meetings last year.
GIMME BUCKS -6 (-110) for 1 unit.
(Let me caveat this handicap with a reminder to wait as close to tip-off as possible to wager because star players could be held out of the game since it’s the final day before the All-Star break).
Over/Under (O/U)
TAKE UNDER 233.5 (-110) for 1 unit because this is a Pros vs. Joes situation within the betting market. Meaning more money is on the Under while more bets have been placed on the Over.
Because the money column of the betting splits usually indicates sharp money and the tickets column is square money, we should follow the money in Bucks-Grizzlies.
Furthermore, if both teams send out the projected lineups, I don’t see the Grizzlies being able to uphold its end of the scoring margin.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Also see:
- 2021 NBA Mock Draft consensus 2.0: The updated first round (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Bucks | Grizzlies
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]