The Milwaukee Bucks pay a visit to the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Jazz vs. Bucks Prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs. Bucks Pick.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in a slump for a while now, as they’ve dropped nine of their last 11 games overall and they will be looking to bounce back here after falling just short to the Cavaliers in a 123-116 loss on Tuesday. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team with 25 points and 10 assists; Ryan Rollins, Bobby Portis and Ousmane Dieng each scored 19 points, while Pete Nance chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Bucks shot 48 percent from the field and 20 of 45 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter to overcome an early 15-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter before the Cavaliers went on a pivotal 14-5 run late in the contest to slip away in the end. Kyle Kuzma had a quiet game of just three points on one of six shooting in 17 minutes as a starter.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a major slump, as they’ve lost 12 of their last 14 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after getting mauled by the Timberwolves in a 147-111 road defeat last night. Brice Sensabaugh led the team with 41 points on 17 of 31 shooting, Ace Bailey scored 17 points, and Isaiah Collier chipped in with 14 points and six assists. As a team, the Jazz shot 43 percent from the field and 13 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Timberwolves from the very start and were always fighting a losing battle after allowing 43 points in the first quarter. Kyle Filipowski scored just seven points on two of six shooting, while no bench player scored more than eight points.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Bucks have lost each of their last eight road games following a home loss.
- The Jazz have won each of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games as road favorites following a home loss.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Bucks have won seven of their last eight night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Jazz have lost each of their last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last five night games against teams that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bucks’ last seven games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Nine of the Jazz’s last 10 home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Isaiah Collier is the only player in the league to have recorded 19+ assists in a game this season.
- Brice Sensabaugh is the only player to have scored 40+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Ryan Rollins ranks 6th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.2%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- 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 (30.5).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.7).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (73.1%).
Jazz vs Bucks Prediction
The Bucks have ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo and they have Myles Turner and Kevin Porter Jr. both listed as questionable, while the Jazz have ruled out Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George. The Bucks are mired in their worst slump of the season; they’ve shut down Antetokounmpo and could be without two other key players so while the Jazz have been ice-cold, this looks like a good spot for an upset. You couldn’t back either side with any confidence these days, but the Jazz have surprised a few teams at home this season and I think they get the job done in this one.