Bucks vs. Grizzlies Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Andrew Rogers
The first half of the NBA season hasn’t exactly gone as planned for the Milwaukee Bucks – and they could be in for a tough battle Thursday night as they wrap up their pre-All-Star-break schedule against the host Memphis Grizzlies. The Bucks came into the 2020-21 campaign as the odds-on favourite to win the Eastern Conference, but they’ll rank third in the standings entering the break with or without a victory over a Grizzlies team that has won two in a row.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Milwaukee is a six-point favourite for the first of two meetings between the teams. And while the Bucks have been largely inconsistent throughout the first half of the season, they still have the faith of bettors, with 64 percent of Sports Interaction siding with the visitors. The Bucks are 4-2 ATS in their last six overall and an identical 4-2 ATS in the past six meetings with the Grizzlies, while Memphis has gone 5-2 ATS in the past seven vs. the Central Division.
The total for this matchup is on the high side at 234, with the Over and Under carrying identical -110 odds. And this one is nearly split among Sports Interaction bettors, with 55 percent leaning toward the U234. The Under has cashed in five straight Grizzlies contests, moving Memphis to 14-16-1 O/U for the season. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has posted eight overs in their last 12 games and is an impressive 20-15 O/U for the campaign.
Milwaukee Bucks
How might the Bucks deploy their best player Thursday night? Bettors will be keeping a close eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will play in this weekend’s All-Star Game. He might see a reduction in playing time as Milwaukee looks to balance rest for its star player with a need to keep the wins coming. Antetokounmpo has led the team in scoring all but four times this season, but is a risky player prop bet given the unknown over his playing time.
Memphis Grizzlies
Consistency has been elusive for the Grizzlies, who have alternated emphatic victories with blowout losses – and that make handicapping them incredibly difficult. How hard? Consider that the Grizzlies are 9-9 SU over their past 18 games, with a point differential of plus-21.3 in their eight victories and a scoring margin of minus-17.3 in the nine defeats. Also of note: The Grizzlies have had five different scoring leaders over their past six games.
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