Thursday’s NBA slate is a light one as the league heads into All-Star Game weekend, but there’s business to attend to between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
Milwaukee is still finding its way under new coach Doc Rivers. There has been some good, such as the 112-95 demolition of the Denver Nuggets on Monday. There has been some bad, such as the 123-97 battering received on Tuesday at the hands of the Miami Heat – sans Jimmy Butler. As for the Memphis Grizzlies, it seems like the mission is to survive the current campaign. Too many star players are injured for them to be a serious threat in the West, although they did beat the Rockets 121-113 on Wednesday.
Milwaukee is expected to have its way with Memphis. The group is perched as considerable -11.5 favourites on the NBA odds.
Bucks vs. Grizzlies NBA Betting Odds
This might sound crazy, but the Grizzlies have won the last three meetings between these sides. Before anyone’s jaw drops to the floor, it’s important to note that the most recent one came in April at the very end of the regular season when Milwaukee hadn’t much to play for. Before that the Bucks fell to a Grizzlies squad that looked far different than today. That was a team on its way to finishing second in the West two years in a row.
To that point, Memphis has taken four of the last five games, suggesting Milwaukee struggles quite a bit against this franchise.
A look at the Milwaukee injuries list is quite a sight. Both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are listed as day-to-day, albeit probable. With both surely hoping to partake in the All-Star Game fun, they may not be major presences tonight. All the scoring in the world has not helped the Bucks earn a good record against the spread this season. The 22-33-1 tally is in large part due to the drastic worsening of the defence. As of today, they rank 23rd in points allowed per game whereas they finished 14th last season.
The Grizzlies will take what small victories they can get. Or in this case, betters will. Not that 26-29 ATS is anything to write home about, but it looks better than what their opponents have mustered so far. They also have a knack for covering games they lose. They’re 5-4 the last nine times that’s happened. In case anyone forgot, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane still have a few weeks before their injuries will be re-evaluated.
Milwaukee Bucks
Hosting the Nuggets and Heat on back-to-back nights was tough scheduling by the NBA. In a twist, the Bucks looked amazing versus the champions, but terrible versus the Heat.
Lest we forget the Floridian side eliminated Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs last year. The Heat defence was more than up to the task of nullifying the Bucks’ second-ranked attack (122.2 points per game). The hosts didn’t hit 30 points in any quarter and fewer than 25 in three of them, not to mention winning none of the four periods. Milwaukee underperformed from three in relation to their season average, only going 33 per cent. Miami was simply the more fluid team, out-assisting the home side 34-24.
Lillard isn’t known as a lockdown defender, but a -25 night is terrible. Malik Beasley had a decent 6-for-10 game, including 4-for-8 from long range, finishing with 16 points.
Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday night’s 121-113 victory over the Houston Rockets allowed Memphis to exhale a considerable sigh of relief. Not only was the contest a tough one, but it also halted a woeful nine-game losing streak. It just goes to show how much the franchise’s 2023-2024 plans have gone into a tailspin.
There was a Derrick Rose sighting, with the veteran finishing with a team-high 20 points. Jaren Jackson Jr. fought off foul trouble to muster 18 points. Luke Kennard also pitched in with a solid 19-point evening, including a sweet-looking 4-for-6 line from three-point range. But the win was hard fought as a 23-point lead melted into a one-point advantage in the late stages before the Grizzlies pulled away.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Grizzlies?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 14 Feb 9:32pm | MEM | -9.5 -115 | O +226.5 -105 |
| Closing 16 Feb 3:42am | MEM | -1.5 +105 | O +238.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
30.44 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
11.52 |
| FG% |
61.1 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
| Points |
25.11 |
| Assists |
8.11 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
55.9 |
| Steals |
2.05 |
| Blocks |
1.61 |
| Points |
31.25 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.33 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1 |
| Blocks |
1.33 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Grizzlies Team Leaders
| Points |
30.44 |
| Assists |
6.96 |
| Rebounds |
11.52 |
| FG% |
61.1 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
2.38 |
| Points |
25.11 |
| Assists |
8.11 |
| Rebounds |
8 |
| FG% |
55.9 |
| Steals |
2.05 |
| Blocks |
1.61 |
| Points |
31.25 |
| Assists |
5.5 |
| Rebounds |
11.33 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1 |
| Blocks |
1.33 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
Injuries
Khris Middleton (SF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Chris Livingston (SF)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
MarJon Beauchamp (SF)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Brandon Clarke (PF)
Lamar Stevens (PF)
Brandon Clarke (PF)
Lamar Stevens (PF)
Jake LaRavia (SF)
Lamar Stevens (PF)
Brandon Clarke (PF)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)
Luke Kennard (SG)
Santi Aldama (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Prob Thurs | Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Patrick Beverley (PG) | Prob Tues | Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to partake in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers. |
|||||
| Chris Livingston (SF) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 25 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Livingston is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is dealing with left hamstring soreness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Magic on Sunday. |
|||||
| MarJon Beauchamp (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Beauchamp is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to take part in Sunday's tilt with the Magic. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Ques Fri | Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is nursing left hamstring soreness, and his availability versus the Thunder on Friday is undetermined. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Clarke (PF) | Out Sun | Hand - 11 / 04 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Clarke missed the previous game with a right hand contusion, and he will not suit up Sunday against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Lamar Stevens (PF) | Out Sun | Hip - 11 / 04 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Stevens was absent from the last match with a left adductor strain, and he will not be in the lineup against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Brandon Clarke (PF) | Out Wed | Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Clarke will not be active for Wednesday's matchup with the Cavaliers as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Lamar Stevens (PF) | Doub Tues | Groin - 08 / 04 / 24 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Stevens missed the previous game due to left groin soreness, and it is unlikely that he will be available for Tuesday's showdown versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jake LaRavia (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
LaRavia has sat out the last two contests due to left ankle soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Cavaliers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Lamar Stevens (PF) | Prob Wed | Groin - 06 / 04 / 24 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Stevens has been absent from the previous two games with left groin soreness, but it is projected that he will lace up against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Brandon Clarke (PF) | Prob Sat | Achilles - 04 / 04 / 24 | 4-2 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Clarke missed the previous tilt with a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status Saturday versus the 76ers. |
|||||
| Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF) | Out indefinitely | Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 24 | 4-2 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Jackson Jr. is out of the lineup with tendinitis in his right quadricep, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Luke Kennard (SG) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 04 / 04 / 24 | 4-2 | 1-5 | + - |
|
Kennard is idle with left knee soreness, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Santi Aldama (PF) | Out indefinitely | Foot - 03 / 04 / 24 | 5-2 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Aldama is out of action with right foot soreness, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 14 Feb 9:32pm MEM -9.5 -115 O +226.5 -105 Closing 16 Feb 3:42am MEM -1.5 +105 O +238.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 30.44
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 11.52
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.19
Blocks 2.38
Points 25.11
Assists 8.11
Rebounds 8
FG% 55.9
Steals 2.05
Blocks 1.61
Points 31.25
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.33
FG% 100
Steals 1
Blocks 1.33
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Grizzlies Team Leaders
Points 30.44
Assists 6.96
Rebounds 11.52
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.19
Blocks 2.38
Points 25.11
Assists 8.11
Rebounds 8
FG% 55.9
Steals 2.05
Blocks 1.61
Points 31.25
Assists 5.5
Rebounds 11.33
FG% 100
Steals 1
Blocks 1.33
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
Injuries
Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24Patrick Beverley (PG)
Prob Thurs Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Tues Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24Patrick Beverley (PG)
Prob Tues Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24Chris Livingston (SF)
Ques Thurs Illness - 25 / 04 / 24Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24MarJon Beauchamp (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Ques Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24Brandon Clarke (PF)
Out Sun Hand - 11 / 04 / 24Lamar Stevens (PF)
Out Sun Hip - 11 / 04 / 24Brandon Clarke (PF)
Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24Lamar Stevens (PF)
Doub Tues Groin - 08 / 04 / 24Jake LaRavia (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24Lamar Stevens (PF)
Prob Wed Groin - 06 / 04 / 24Brandon Clarke (PF)
Prob Sat Achilles - 04 / 04 / 24Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)
Out indefinitely Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 24Luke Kennard (SG)
Out indefinitely Knee - 04 / 04 / 24Santi Aldama (PF)
Out indefinitely Foot - 03 / 04 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Prob Thurs Oblique - 01 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Tues Ankle - 29 / 04 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Middleton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to participate in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley (PG) Prob Tues Oblique - 29 / 04 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Beverley is laid up with a right oblique muscle strain, but it is forecasted that he will face the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 04 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 04 / 24 2-2 3-1 + - Middleton is tending to a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to partake in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Pacers.
Chris Livingston (SF) Ques Thurs Illness - 25 / 04 / 24 2-2 3-1 + - Livingston is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Prob Sun Hamstring - 13 / 04 / 24 3-4 4-3 + - Antetokounmpo is dealing with left hamstring soreness, but it is anticipated that he will face the Magic on Sunday.
MarJon Beauchamp (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 3-4 4-3 + - Beauchamp is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to take part in Sunday's tilt with the Magic.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Ques Fri Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 4-4 5-3 + - Antetokounmpo is nursing left hamstring soreness, and his availability versus the Thunder on Friday is undetermined.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brandon Clarke (PF) Out Sun Hand - 11 / 04 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Clarke missed the previous game with a right hand contusion, and he will not suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Lamar Stevens (PF) Out Sun Hip - 11 / 04 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Stevens was absent from the last match with a left adductor strain, and he will not be in the lineup against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Brandon Clarke (PF) Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24 2-1 1-2 + - Clarke will not be active for Wednesday's matchup with the Cavaliers as he will be given a day of rest.
Lamar Stevens (PF) Doub Tues Groin - 08 / 04 / 24 2-2 1-3 + - Stevens missed the previous game due to left groin soreness, and it is unlikely that he will be available for Tuesday's showdown versus the Bucks.
Jake LaRavia (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24 3-2 1-4 + - LaRavia has sat out the last two contests due to left ankle soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Lamar Stevens (PF) Prob Wed Groin - 06 / 04 / 24 3-2 1-4 + - Stevens has been absent from the previous two games with left groin soreness, but it is projected that he will lace up against the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Brandon Clarke (PF) Prob Sat Achilles - 04 / 04 / 24 4-2 1-5 + - Clarke missed the previous tilt with a left Achilles injury, but it is not expected to affect his status Saturday versus the 76ers.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF) Out indefinitely Quadricep - 04 / 04 / 24 4-2 1-5 + - Jackson Jr. is out of the lineup with tendinitis in his right quadricep, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Luke Kennard (SG) Out indefinitely Knee - 04 / 04 / 24 4-2 1-5 + - Kennard is idle with left knee soreness, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Santi Aldama (PF) Out indefinitely Foot - 03 / 04 / 24 5-2 2-5 + - Aldama is out of action with right foot soreness, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.