Milwaukee Bucks (25-11) vs Utah Jazz (17-20)
2024-01-08 20:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -11.5 -- Over/Under: 248
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The Utah Jazz invade the Fiserv Forum to do battle with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Bucks Prediction.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after blowing past the 76ers in a 120-109 upset road win on Saturday. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 33 points and 13 rebounds on 12 of 19 shooting, Collin Sexton added 22 points with 10 assists while John Collins chipped in with 19 points on nine of 10 shooting. As a team, the Jazz shot a healthy 57 percent from the field and eight of 30 from the 3-point line as they took advantage of the shorthanded 76ers and poured in 72 points in the paint to put on 120 points and finish with one of their best wins during this stretch. The Jazz committed a total of 23 turnovers, but they didn’t let it slow them down as they were always in control after keeping the 76ers quiet in the third quarter.
Utah Jazz Team Facts
- The Jazz have lost 25 of their last 26 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
- Each of the Jazz’s last five games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Milwaukee Bucks
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been in a bit of a rut as they’ve lost three of their past four games and they will be hoping to bounce back here after coming up short to the Rockets in a 112-108 road defeat on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 38 points and 17 rebounds, Damian Lillard added 18 points with eight assists while Khris Middleton chipped in with 10 points, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Bucks shot 46 percent from the field and nine of 34 from the 3-point line, but they were always playing from behind after getting outscored by 63-43 in the first half. The only bright spot from the game was the play of Antetokounmpo, but he just didn’t get nearly enough help to get the Bucks over the line.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Facts
- The Bucks have won each of their last nine home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a losing record.
- Seven of the Bucks’ last eight games against the Jazz following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Jazz vs Bucks Prediction
The Jazz are coming into this one with a full roster, while the Bucks are a little shorthanded with Damian Lillard and Cameron Payne both ruled out already. The Jazz have been flying under the radar as they’ve been quietly playing some of their best basketball of the season and they just took down the 76ers in their last outing, while the Bucks have cooled off a bit recently and they will be missing Lillard for this one. Even without a true point guard, the Bucks should be able to easily win thanks to a big game from Antetokounmpo, but the line is so hefty that I have to take the Jazz to at least keep this close.
