Something has to give when two teams tied for the worst record in the NBA square off on Thursday night, although oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook are leaning heavily one way when the Milwaukee Bucks host the visiting Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum.
Here's a spread, moneyline, total, and player prop wager to consider for what's a lackluster matchup on paper, but one that could provide value once the final buzzer sounds.
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds
Preview: Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Jazz | +9.5 (-108) | +350 | O 229 (-110) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -9.5 (-112) | -450 | U 229 (-110) |
Odds as of November 7, 2024 at FanDuel
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Expert Picks
Utah Jazz ATS +9.5 (-108), Milwaukee Bucks ML (-450)
Both Utah and Milwaukee dwell right at the bottom of the win-loss column with identical 1-6 records SU, although the Bucks' struggles are far more worrisome as they have expectations of a long and prosperous playoff run. The Jazz are exactly where they should be, frankly, having just picked up their first victory after beginning the campaign with six-consecutive defeats.
The status of Lauri Markkanen (back) remains up in the air for Thursday's tilt, although it appears he's on track to return to action after being a full participant in Wednesday's practice, according to the Salt Lake Tribune's Andy Larson.
Across their seven outings, Utah has covered the spread successfully on three occasions with two of those covers coming away from the Delta Center. Their latest two covers were as 7.5 and 11.5-point underdogs, respectively, with Thursday's 9.5-point line being smack dab in the middle. A return of Markkanen, along with the questionable status and hopeful availability of Jordan Clarkson (heel) and Isaiah Collier (hamstring) will go a long way versus a Bucks defense allowing 116.5 points per 100 possessions (21st).
Milwaukee's defense is actually dramatically worse on its home floor ranking 29th overall (120.5 points allowed per 100 possessions), providing enough optimism that a healthy Jazz can keep it close on the scoreboard, although having no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo (31 points) and Damian Lillard (27.6 points) should give the Bucks the win here. Utah is also 15-6 ATS in its last 21 games against teams ranking in the bottom-third of the league in opponents scoring, as well.
OVER 229 Points (-110)
The Bucks just recently hit the OVER for the first time in five games in a 116-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Jazz have nailed an OVER in two-straight games following four UNDERs in a row.
Both games in 2023-24 hit the OVER if the total were at Thursday's 229 points, and with both teams having non-existent defenses at the moment, buckets should be plentiful here.
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Player Prop
Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 36.5 Points + Assists (-118)
As mentioned above, Antetokounmpo is averaging 31 points to go along with 6.3 assists through seven games, and while he's only hit the OVER on 36.5 points + assists three times, two of those hits have come in the last two games.
When playing the Jazz twice last season, albeit in a short window, The Greek Freak averaged more assists against them (12) than any other team he played against.
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends
- The Bucks are 26-13 (66.7 percent) in their last 39 games at home.
- Utah has hit the OVER in seven of its last nine road games.
*all betting trends courtesy of Outlier
