The Utah Jazz invade the Fiserv Forum to do battle with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. Here’s a Bucks vs. Jazz prediction. This article will include a Bucks vs. Jazz pick.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz have been in terrible shape, as they’ve lost 19 of their last 24 games overall, but they will be feeling much better after they put an end to a seven-game losing streak with a 122-112 road win over the Wizards on Thursday. Ace Bailey led the team with 32 points on 12 of 19 shooting, Isaiah Collier added 27 points with 11 assists, Kyle Filipowski scored 20 points with 14 rebounds and two blocks, and Brice Sensabaugh chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Jazz shot 51 percent from the field and 15 of 35 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 37 points in the first quarter to lead by as many as 21 points early on, which proved to be crucial as the Wizards rallied to within five points in the fourth quarter before the Jazz pulled away at the end.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have gone cold lately, as they are now on a four-game losing streak after getting thrashed by the Hawks in a 131-113 home defeat on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 10 of 15 shooting; Kyle Kuzma added 16 points on seven of eight shooting off the bench, while Ryan Rollins tallied 13 points with eight rebounds and 12 assists. As a team, the Bucks shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 39 from the 3-point line as they got off to a flyer with 38 points in the first quarter to lead by as many as 16 points early on, but they allowed 41 points in the second quarter and just didn’t have any answers in the second half, where they got outscored by 65-42.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 10 road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Bucks have won each of their last four home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Bucks have lost each of their last six games as favorites.
- The Jazz have won four of their last five games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games after losing as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the Bucks’ last 11 home games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Jazz’s last six games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of only two players to have recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound game this season.
- Bobby Portis is one of only two qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds per game (6.3) and three-point shooting percentage (45.7%) this season.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Keyonte George has scored 30+ points in two consecutive appearances—the longest active streak of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.8).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (74.0%).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (125.2).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (30.2).
Bucks vs Jazz Prediction
The Jazz are still missing a bunch of players with Lauri Markkanen, Isaiah Collier, Vince Williams Jr., Jusuf Nurkic, and Jaren Jackson Jr. all out, while the Bucks have ruled out Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr. again. The Jazz head into this contest as one of the coldest teams in the league, but they looked good in their win over the Wizards on Thursday. The Bucks haven’t been anywhere near their best lately, as they’ve dropped four in a row and their most recent loss was the most disappointing, so you really couldn’t trust either side with any confidence at the moment. I don’t love how high the line is, but the Bucks are getting desperate for a win and I think they get some temporary relief with a win and cover at home.