Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction 01/07/19

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The league’s top scoring team will be 5.5-point favorites at home in Fiserv Forum, when the Milwaukee Bucks (27-11) square off with the Utah Jazz (20-20). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 221.5 points and action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

The Jazz come in on a high note after covering the 3.5-point spread against the Detroit Pistons in their last matchup, 110-105. The Bucks, on the other hand, were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 123-116, and were unable to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Utah game finished 5.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5, while the Milwaukee game finished 12 points over the projected point total of 227.

Utah dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.305 (above their season average of 0.215) and a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 13.6). Detroit put up marks of 0.195 and 16.5, respectively, for those same stats. Milwaukee, meanwhile, held Toronto to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.5 (below their season average of 23.4). Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who put up 43 points and 18 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had a solid performance for Utah, putting up 26 points, five rebounds and five assists.

This was a highly competitive series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Bucks won the most recent game 117-100. The Bucks’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Jazz. Milwaukee had a rate of 10.6, while Utah posted a mark of 14.8. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Jazz games, with 21 overs compared to 19 unders. Utah holds records of 20-20 straight up (SU) and 20-19-1 against the spread (ATS).

Bucks games also have finished over the total 52.6 percent of the time. Additionally, Milwaukee is 27-11 SU and 21-16-1 ATS.

This showdown pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Milwaukee ranks second in offensive efficiency and Utah ranks fifth in defensive efficiency. Also, put-back points could be rare for the Jazz. They rank 21st in the league in offensive rebounding percentage at 21.9 percent, while the Bucks are the best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 81.1 percent).

Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick

Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Jazz rank 12th (5.3).
  • Utah ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (27.2) while Milwaukee ranks 29th (35.5).
  • The Bucks rank first in rebounds per game (49.4) while the Jazz rank 20th (44.2).
  • Milwaukee ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (7.2) while Utah ranks 25th (8.7).
  • Utah ranks 14th in second chance points per game (13.3) while Milwaukee ranks 26th (11.7).
  • The Bucks rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Jazz rank 24th (17.7).
  • The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (20.9) while the Bucks rank 16th (24.3).
  • Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (53.9) while Utah ranks 12th (49.3).
  • Milwaukee ranks eighth in fast break points per game (15.8) while Utah ranks 29th (9.9).
  • When allowing under 100 points, Milwaukee is 9-1 and Utah is 10-3.
  • The Bucks are 27-8 when they reach the century mark, while the Jazz are 18-10.
  • Milwaukee is 14-8 ATS at home, while Utah is 11-12-1 ATS on the road.
  • In 24 road games, the Jazz have 12 overs and 12 unders.
  • Of the Bucks’ 22 home games, they have 13 overs and 9 unders.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Bucks are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Jazz are 3-2.
  • In their last five games, Milwaukee has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Utah has 4 overs and 1 under.
  • The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.6, up from 9.5 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 113.8 points per game (5.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.8 points per game (0.1 above their season average).