The Memphis Grizzlies will travel to the BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 17 and can be seen on FxS and FWi.
The Bucks are hoping for a better outcome after their 107-89 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Giannis Antetokounmpo earned his 17th double-double this season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 114-108 loss against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Memphis still lost despite the best efforts of Lance Stephenson, who recorded his first double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Antetokounmpo has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Bucks. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks. Stephenson has been hot for the Grizzlies. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 0.5 steals.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Grizzlies winning the first matchup 103-83. Marc Gasol had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
The Bucks come into this game 29-39 Straight Up (SU) and 34-32-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 29-39 SU and 34-32-2 ATS against the Western Conference. The Bucks are one of the best in the NBA in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .464 from the field. Milwaukee is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 19.1 points per game.
Over on the other bench, the Grizzlies have a record of 33-32-3 ATS and 39-29 SU. Against the Eastern Conference, Memphis is 39-29 SU and 33-32-3 ATS. The Grizzlies get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fourth in the league with 1,357 made (19.0 per game).
Memphis beat Milwaukee in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 9-1. The Grizzlies also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee’s last 11 games at home”.
“Milwaukee is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Memphis”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games when playing Memphis”.
“Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee”.
Both Memphis and Milwaukee rank zeroth in points per game and points allowed per game respectively. Memphis puts up 0.0 points per game, while Milwaukee allows 0.0.
Memphis and Milwaukee are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per away game and points allowed at home respectively. Memphis scores an average of 0.0 points on the road, while Milwaukee allows 0.0 points at home on average.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Bucks are 16-6 on the season. When the Grizzlies score fewer than 100, they are a losing 10-22.
The Milwaukee Bucks have a poor 13-33 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Memphis Grizzlies are 29-7 when they hit triple digits.
The Bucks have an offensive rating of 102.9 (ranked 23rd). The Grizzlies rank 18th for their defensive rating of 104.9.
The Milwaukee Bucks average 96.6 possessions per game and 1.029 points per possession, while the Memphis Grizzlies earn fewer possessions (95.9) but more points per possession (1.033).
The Milwaukee Bucks average an effective field goal percentage of 49.7% this season. The Memphis Grizzlies have an underachieving record of 15-24 when opponents have an EFF% of 49.7% or greater.
On average, the Milwaukee Bucks attempt 15.0 three point field goals per game and the Memphis Grizzlies attempt 18.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Milwaukee is winless (0-3), while Memphis is 3-2.
Milwaukee has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.58 this season (ranked 17th). Memphis ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.66 (ranked 12th).
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies are two of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA. Milwaukee is ranked 26th with 41.9 rebounds per game, and Memphis ranks 28th with 41.5.
Milwaukee is ranked 29th in defensive rebounds, while Memphis ranks 13th in offensive rebounds.
Memphis is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.3% (ranked first). Milwaukee has an abysmal record of 5-16 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.3% or greater.
