The Utah Jazz (13-13) travel to Milwaukee to play the Bucks (14-10) in a game that will likely be low scoring. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017, and will air on NBATV.
Milwaukee opened as a 3-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 199 points.
Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
In the Jazz’s last game, they were defeated by the Houston Rockets, 112-101. Houston’s 22.2 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Utah, who had a rate of 9.5. The Rockets’ mark was below their season average of 22.4, while the Jazz’s was below their season average of 20.5. Donovan Mitchell was Utah’s leading scorer with 26 points on 9-for-19 shooting.
The Bucks were victorious over the Dallas Mavericks in their last contest, 109-102. The Bucks held the Mavericks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.8 (below their season average of 18.2) and had a free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.206). With 27 points and 11 rebounds, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo put together a solid game.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams battle. Milwaukee ranks 28th in possessions per game (96.5) and Utah is 26th (97.3).
Utah heads into the game with records of 13-13 straight up (SU) and 15-11 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Jazz have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 14-10 SU and 9-11-3 ATS. Of the Bucks’ 23 games that accepted bets, 12 have finished over the projected point total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Mitchell (26.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals) has been stellar for the Jazz while Eric Bledsoe (21.0 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals) has made great contributions to the Bucks.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Bucks lost 121-108, unable to cover as 1.5-point favorites. Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 27 points and also had 13 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 229 points, which was 33 points above the projected point total of 196 points. Utah had a much better turnover percentage (10.1 vs. 15.5). Milwaukee, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (24.2 vs. 13.5).
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah is 4-6 ATS on the road with 5 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 3-6-2 ATS at home with 6 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 6-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Utah is 8-2.
The Bucks are 11-4 when they reach the century mark, while the Jazz are 11-5.
Utah ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while Milwaukee ranks 26th (24.3).
The Bucks rank second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Jazz rank 16th (8.0).
Milwaukee ranks 11th in fast break points per game (12.0) while Utah ranks 25th (8.7).
The Bucks rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Jazz rank 14th (16.8).
Milwaukee ranks first in blocks allowed per game (3.3) while Utah ranks 10th (4.7).
The Jazz rank 22nd in second chance points per game (10.8) while the Bucks rank 29th (8.4).
Utah ranks second in assists allowed per game (18.5) while Milwaukee ranks eighth (21.4).
Neither of these teams are great at rebounding the ball. The Jazz are 27th in the league with 40.2 rebounds per game while the Bucks are last with 38.1 rebounds per game.
Utah ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (39.9) while Milwaukee ranks fifth (41.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Milwaukee is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push over their last five games.
The Jazz’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.0, up from 3.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 105.0 points per game (1.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.6 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
