Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukke Bucks Predictions, Odds, Picks

Score Prediction

Jazz 114, Bucks 110

Best Bets

Over

Jazz -1.5

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Predictions

Utah comes off its first loss of the season, handed to them by the Bulls in Chicago. Other than that, so far so good for the Jazz. Mike Conley is expected to play Sunday night in Milwaukee, as the veteran guard is still being “load managed” with his knee. The other reality is the Bucks are far from healthy, and that is a huge disadvantage against this Jazz squad. Conley’s return should stabilize a Utah team that turned the ball over 20 times in Chicago.

Donovan Mitchell is an impossible matchup for the Bucks who are without a couple of players – most notably Jrue Holiday. Hard to think the Jazz can’t wear down Giannis and a top-heavy Bucks team. Two straight losses at home for Milwaukee isn’t what we’re used to seeing, but to be fair, we are used to seeing a much healthier team.

Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez continued to miss time, Holiday with an ankle injury and Lopez with a bad back. Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo are also out with injury. The Bucks are putting a ton of mins on Giannis Antetokoumpo and Khris Middleton, which may play against bad teams but won’t save them against Utah.

Before their first loss of the season, Utah played great basketball. The absence of Conley hurt against the Bulls, but the biggest Sunday night difference is health. The Jazz are getting stability back in the roster, while the Bucks are hoping to get a body or two back as soon as possible. Jazz are deep and have one of the best defenders in the game each year in Rudy Gobert.

That does a lot to negate – not stop – the damage done by the Bucks front court. Jordan Clarksonhasn’t been shooting the ball great, but he can get points in bunches, especially in 6th man or second unit minutes. There’s no real bench right now for Milwaukee, so guys like Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles, and Royce O’Neale will a huge advantage off the bench.

It’s just difficult to see how the Bucks can counter the depth from the Jazz – especially if Utah protects the basketball. Gone is PJ Tucker from the Bucks, and they don’t have a terror defending the perimeter. The combo of Mitchell and Conley is enough to sink the Bucks. Expect another stat-filling night for Giannis, and a drained Middleton. Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton have been serviceable in spot opportunities, but they can’t hang with the Jazz starters.

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by BetMGM - Subject to Change

• Jazz -135
• Bucks +110
• Jazz -2
• Bucks +2
• Over 223.5 (-110)
• Under 223.5 (-110)

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Resources

• Matchup: Northwest vs. Central
• Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
• Venue: Fiserv Forum
• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• TV-Time: NBATV - 7:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Utah Jazz Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 4-1
• ATS: 4-1
• O/U: 1-4

Mitchell keys this offense but the Jazz have no problem spreading the wealth. Mitchell is only at 22 PPG this season shooting 37.6% from the floor. Rudy Gobert is averaging a monster 18 RPG to go along with 17.8 PPG, all shooting 72.5% from the field.

It’s been hit or miss with Clarkson, only at 37.5 percent from the field but can get 16.8 PPG and 3.5 rebounds. Bogdanovic and Ingles round out the main contributors, Bojan at 16.6 PPG. Mike Conley missed time so his numbers aren’t where they will be, but he is shooting 42.5% from the field.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 3-3
• ATS: 3-3
• O/U: 2-4

All Giannis all the time, no matter who is around him. The Greek Freak is averaging just under 28 PPG off 53.6% shooting. He’s adding just under 12 RPG and a team-leading 6 APG. Middleton is the only other consistent starter out there, averaging 20 PPG.

Grayson Allen sitting at 13 PPG has helped the Bucks but hasn’t been enough to overcome the lack of starters. Jordan Nwora has stepped up as well, adding 9.5 PPG off the bench. Until they get healthy, Milwaukee is going to be at a disadvantage to teams like the Jazz every night.

The Utah Jazz have won 11 of their last 12 games when playing the second game of a back-to-back. (AP)

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Head-to-Head

It’s the first matchup between these two teams this year. The Bucks lost both times to the Jazz last year, including a home loss in January.

Key Players to Watch

• UTA: Rudy Gobert - C (17.8 ppg, 18 rpg)
• UTA: Donovan Mitchell - SG (22 ppg, 4 rpg, 5.2 apg)
• MIL: Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF (27.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 6 apg)
• MIL: Khris Middleton - SF (20 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.5 apg)

Injuries

• UTA: Mike Conley - PG (DTD)
• MIL: Brook Lopez - C (Out)
• MIL: Jrue Holida - PG (Out)

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Conclusion

The Jazz are just a better team right now, and certainly the healthier one. Getting Conley back on the second game of a back-to-back is huge, they’ve won 11 of their last 12 on the second leg of a BTB.

Mitchell went for 30 in the loss to the Bulls and is over 27 PPG on the road in 8 of his last 9. Even the record ATS favors the Jazz; Utah is 4-1 ATS and the Bucks are just 3-3. Too many injured bodies for the Bucks, roll with the Jazz!

Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

• Utah has won 11 of its last 12 games on the second game of a back-to-back.
• Milwaukee has gone UNDER the point total in five straight home games.
• Utah has covered the spread in four straight games when facing Milwaukee
• Royce O'Neale has seen six or more rebounds in four straight games when facing Milwaukee.

VegasInsider Staff

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