Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz Free Prediction 03/02/19

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The Milwaukee Bucks (48-14), the NBA’s top shooting defense, will go head-to-head with the Utah Jazz (35-26) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz ATS Odds

Both teams covered in their last matchup. The Jazz (7.5-point underdogs) defeated the Denver Nuggets 111-104, while the Bucks (6-point favorite) beat the Los Angeles Lakers 131-120. The Utah game finished 10 points under the projected point total of 225, while the Milwaukee game finished 11 points over the projected point total of 240.

Milwaukee played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 20.6) and a free throw rate of 0.226 (above their season average of 0.190). For those same stats, Los Angeles was 16.7 and 0.156, respectively. The Jazz, meanwhile, had a great free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.223) and held the Nuggets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.439 (below their season average of 0.533). Joe Ingles had a solid performance for Utah, recording 15 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Eric Bledsoe fueled Milwaukee with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

In their first matchup this year, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 114-102 victory. He registered a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 216 points, which was under the projected point total of 223, and Milwaukee covered as a 5-point favorite. Milwaukee had a better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 13.5). Utah, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.186 vs. 0.133).

Of the Bucks’ 61 games that accepted bets, 33 have finished under the projected point total. Milwaukee heads into the contest with records of 48-14 straight up (SU) and 35-24-2 against the spread (ATS).

In opposition of Milwaukee, Jazz games have finished over the total 50.8 percent of the time. Additionally, Utah is 35-26 SU and 32-27-2 ATS.

This battle figures to be low-scoring as a pair of the league’s premier defenses clash. Utah currently ranks third in defensive efficiency (104.0) and Milwaukee is first (102.6). Also, the Bucks, who rank 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.6 percent), could struggle to get second chance points against the Jazz, who rank second in defensive rebounding percentage (80.3 percent).

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Utah Jazz Free Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Bucks rank first in rebounds per game (49.0) while the Jazz rank 11th (45.8).
  • Utah ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (28.1) while Milwaukee ranks last (35.3).
  • The Bucks rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while the Jazz rank 22nd (17.6).
  • Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (21.4) while Milwaukee ranks 18th (24.7).
  • Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (54.6) while Utah ranks 17th (48.5).
  • The Bucks rank second in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Jazz rank 25th (8.7).
  • The Jazz rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.6) while the Bucks rank 28th (11.3).
  • Utah averages 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Milwaukee ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
  • Milwaukee ranks sixth in fast break points per game (17.4) while Utah ranks 29th (9.7).
  • Milwaukee is 16-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Utah is 15-3.
  • The Bucks are 47-10 when they score more than 100 points, while the Jazz are 33-15.
  • Utah is 16-13-1 ATS at home, while Milwaukee is 18-11-2 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 15 of the Jazz’s 30 home games, while 18 of the Bucks’ 31 road games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Milwaukee and Utah have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Jazz are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Bucks are 2-3.
  • During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 120.4 points per game (10.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.2 points per game (9.6 above their season average).
  • The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, down from 9.6 for the season.