The Phoenix Suns (20-28) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (41-7) Sunday at Fiserv Forum for a 2 p.m. ET tip-off ahead of Super Bowl LIV in Miami (6:30 p.m. ET). We analyze the Suns-Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Suns at Bucks: Key Injuries
Suns
- C Aron Baynes (hip) out
- SF Cameron Johnson (quad) out
- SF Tyler Johnson (knee) probable
- PF Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- PG Ricky Rubio (ankle) questionable
- SF Dario Saric (ankle) out
Bucks
- SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) questionable
- PG George Hill (hamstring) out
- PG Frank Mason (abdominal) out
- SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) questionable
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Suns at Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 126, Suns 94
Moneyline (ML)
If the Suns (+550) were healthy, I’d like them for the upset with Hill sidelined and Antetokounmpo at less than full health for the Bucks (-833), but injuries work both ways. The potential absence of Rubio is most notable for the visitors, as they could be without their leader in assists per game.
The money line will draw a PASS as the odds on the Bucks are just too chalky. Milwaukee is 9-1 across its last 10 games and 22-3 at home for the season. Phoenix is 5-5 across its last 10 outings and 11-11 on the road for the year. Both teams are coming off Friday losses, but the Bucks will avoid losing two straight games for the first time all season.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Back the BUCKS (-12.5, -110) while laying 12 points on home court. They’re 4-2 against the spread this season following a loss, winning by an average of 15.5 points per game and covering by 6.7 points in those situations.
Milwaukee is 26-22 ATS overall and 13-12 on home court, while routinely battling against double-digit spreads. The Suns are 24-23-1 ATS overall and 14-8 on the road, but they haven’t yet faced the league’s best team. The Bucks’ last four victories were each decided by a margin of at least 13 points.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bucks to win by 13 or more points returns a profit of $9.09.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 233.5 (-115) on a high projection. Milwaukee is 24-23-1 against the Over/Under on the season, while Phoenix is 25-23-0. The Bucks slip to just 2-3-1 against the O/U following a loss, as they tighten up defensively and play an average of 4.2 points per game below projections in those situations. Injuries are also affecting top scorers on both sides, and Milwaukee is unlikely to need to play many starters for much of the second half in this one.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 171-144
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