The Memphis Grizzlies (51-23) host the Milwaukee Bucks (46-27) Saturday at the FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Grizzlies odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Milwaukee has won 4 of the last 5 games — 4-1 against the spread (ATS) — including back-to-back home wins versus the Chicago Bulls Tuesday (126-98) and the Washington Wizards Thursday (114-102).
Memphis has won 7 of the last 8 games (5-3 ATS) and rides a 3-game winning streak with victories over the Houston Rockets Sunday (122-98), the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday (132-120) and the Indiana Pacers Thursday (133-103).
The Bucks beat the Grizzlies 126-114 in Milwaukee Jan. 19 but Memphis was without guards Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane and the Bucks had their Big 3 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton).
Bucks at Grizzlies 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 2:53 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Bucks +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Grizzlies -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Bucks +1.5 (-108) | Grizzlies -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Bucks at Grizzlies key injuries
Bucks
- PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) questionable
- PG Jrue Holiday (ankle) out
- SF Khris Middleton (wrist) probable
Grizzlies
- PF Brandon Clarke (hip) out
- PG Ja Morant (knee) out
[tipico]
Bucks at Grizzlies odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Grizzlies 118, Bucks 114
Money line
LEAN GRIZZLIES (-125). Their injury report is less concerning than the Bucks’, but I’d wait until Giannis’ official game status is announced before betting Memphis.
The Bucks score 8.7 fewer points per 100 possessions with Holiday off the floor, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG), and Holiday is the centerpiece of Milwaukee’s perimeter defense.
Holiday’s absence is key even though the Grizzlies will be without Morant because Brooks and Bane can make up for Morant’s missing production.
Also, Milwaukee has struggled in road games against good teams. The Bucks are 3-7 overall on the road versus teams with a top-10 net efficiency with the 21st-ranked adjusted net rating (minus-11.2) and the worst ATS margin (minus-11.1), per CTG.
MEMPHIS (-125) is the right side, but again, I’d wait until the official starting 5’s are announced before wagering on this game.
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Against the spread
PASS. I’d rather play Memphis’s ML since it’s only 13 cents on the dollar more expensive than the Grizzlies -1.5 (-112).
Furthermore, the same rationale above applies here in that I wouldn’t lay points with Memphis until we know what’s up with Giannis. The Grizzlies’ spread will definitely get cheaper if Giannis is in the lineup.
Over/Under
PASS since my prediction is in line with the market’s projected total, so there’s no value in this number for me.
For what it’s worth, the Bucks are 36-37 O/U, including 18-17 O/U on the road, while the Grizzlies are 38-32-4 O/U overall and 18-16-2 O/U at home.
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