The Utah Jazz (4-4) are in Cream City Friday to play the Milwaukee Bucks (5-3) at Fiserv Forum at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Jazz-Bucks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
This is Utah’s fourth game of a seven-game road trip. The Jazz lost back-to-back games, straight up and against the spread, in New York coming into Friday. First, to the Brooklyn Nets 130-96 Jan. 5 and then to the New York Knicks 112-100 Wednesday.
Milwaukee swept the Detroit Pistons in a two-game set as part of a three-game winning streak. The Bucks covered in two of those wins but they were all at home and the other win against an unproven Chicago Bulls team. Despite the three early losses, Milwaukee is well on its way to being the Eastern Conference’s 1-seed again this season; the Bucks lead the NBA in net rating and true shooting percentage.
The Jazz and Bucks split their two-game season series last year but Utah covered the spread in both meetings. Jazz (+2.5) won 103-100 in Utah and the Bucks (-9) won 122-118 in Milwaukee. The Over/Under has alternated in the past five Jazz-Bucks meetings with the latest going Over the total.
Jazz at Bucks: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Jazz +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Bucks -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Jazz +4.5 (-105) | Bucks -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Jazz at Bucks: Key Injuries
Jazz
- C Derrick Favors (knee) probable
- SF Joe Ingles (Achilles) questionable
Bucks
- SG Pat Connaughton (groin) out
- SF Torrey Craig (nose) out
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Jazz at Bucks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bucks 121, Jazz 112
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE since I like the Bucks in this game but they are too expensive to bet outright.
Against the spread (ATS)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has dominated the Jazz in recent years, scoring 30 or more points in six of seven meetings including a 50 Burger with 14 rebounds and 6 assists in the last Jazz-Bucks game.
The Bucks are just 3-4 in their last seven games vs. the Jazz but this current Utah team has struggled defensively and is turning the ball over. Utah is 18th in defensive rating, 29th in opponent’s 3-point percentage and 22nd in offensive turnover percentage. Also, there isn’t a lot of ball movement in Utah’s offense at the moment as the Jazz rank 28th in assists per game.
We can count on an MVP-type performance out of Giannis and Milwaukee having the highest offensive rating in the NBA gives me confidence we get a barrage of Bucks’ points. BET BUCKS -4.5 (-115) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
TAKE OVER 231.5 (-110) for 1 unit because the Bucks have put up at least 114 points in their last three home games vs. the Jazz and Utah’s mediocre defense isn’t much of a match against Milwaukee in its current form.
Each team chucks threes—the Bucks shoot the fourth-most threes per game and the Jazz fifth—but Milwaukee is 22nd in 3-pointers allowed per game so Utah will get its looks. The Jazz have four players that can get hot from deep so I’m expecting some points to be scored in Jazz-Bucks.
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.
Also see:
- Saddiq Bey tied Pistons’ all-time rookie 3-point record vs. Bucks (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Jazz | Bucks
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