Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
7
May
7:00 PM
CLE
BOS
+11
-11
209
9:30 PM
DAL
OKC
+3.5
-3.5
217.5
Thursday
9
May
7:00 PM
CLE
BOS
--
--
--
9:30 PM
DAL
OKC
+3
-3
214.5

Jazz vs Bucks Odds and Picks

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in NBA Basketball

Updated Oct 30, 2021 · 8:06 PM PDT

Donovan Mitchell celebrates with Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
Oct 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with guard Mike Conley (11) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz matchup on Sunday, October, 31st
  • Both teams are likely to be without key players on the second night of a back-to-back 
  • Read below for the latest Jazz vs Bucks odds, betting preview and prediction

The Bucks and Jazz are two of the favorites for the NBA title, and they matchup at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, October, 31st. Utah has started the season off with a 4-0 ATS record. Milwaukee meanwhile, is 3-3 after losing Saturday to the Spurs.

Utah won the matchups last season by 13 and 14 points. Jrue Holiday missed one of the games, but the Jazz were also without Mike Conley for one of the games.

Peculiar scheduling has put this marquee matchup as the second game of a back-to-back for both teams. Mike Budenholzer and Quin Snyder already have some rotation players missing, and we could see some of the stars either sit the game or play lower minutes than usual.

Jazz vs Bucks Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total Points
Utah Jazz +1.5 (-110) +105 Ov 225.0 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-110) -125 Un 225.0 (-110)

Odds as of Oct 30th at DraftKings

Caesars Sportsbooks Sports Betting Promos for NFL Week 8, CFB Week 9 and World Series
Read More

Bucks vs Jazz Injury Report

Rudy Gay (foot) is doing on-court work but he’s not yet ready to take part in NBA action. Mike Conley is sitting out the Jazz’s game with the Bulls on Saturday, which might line him up to play on Sunday night. Eric Paschall (face) and Hassan Whiteside (hand) are listed as probable for Saturday, and should be available to play minutes off the bench at Fiserv Forum.

Given this is third game in four days and the second night of a back-to-back, it’s possible the Jazz either manage the minutes or rest some of their other starters. The same could be said for the Bucks, who are coming off a grueling postseason run.

Milwaukee is already without Donte DiVincenzo (ankle), Brook Lopez (back), Jrue Holiday (ankle) and potentially Bobby Portis. Giannis Antetokounmpo has shifted to the five amid the frontcourt shortage, and it’s possible the Bucks give the two-time MVP or Khris Middleton the night off.

It’s unclear how the rotations will look for both teams heading into this one. Jordan Nwora and Rodney Hood are in for big minutes off the bench, and Semi Ojeleye’s size will be important in non-Giannis minutes.

Defensive Weaknesses

These teams have been renowned for their defenses over the last few seasons. Rudy Gobert and Antetokounmpo are Defensive Player of the Year contenders once again. Their coaches have also built schemes which work to their advantage. Milwaukee is 24th in defensive rating so far this season. Both teams rank around the middle of the pack in opponent shot quality so far.

The Bucks have been without Holiday and Lopez for several games this season already, which has altered how they operate defensively. It’s deprived them of two of their best defensive personnel. Utah’s defense ranks second, though they are only 11th in adjusted opponent shot quality.

While defense has been the foundation of their regular season success, both the Jazz and Bucks have been riding their offense early in the year. They sit number one and two in adjusted shot quality on offense. These teams played high-scoring games last season, and we can expect a similar contest on Sunday.

Back Utah

The Jazz are a dominant team in the regular season, and with Conley likely to return, they will be closer to full strength than the Bucks. In a small sample of just 108 minutes this season, Utah has a +9.5 net rating with Conley and Gobert on the court. Even if Donovan Mitchell is given the night off, they were effective in Conley and Gobert minutes without Mitchell last season, too.

While Budenholzer may look to match Giannis’ minutes with Gobert, Milwaukee is lacking rim protection when Antetokounmpo is on the bench. Whiteside could have an effective night as a roll threat. At the other end of the floor, Holiday’s absence will make it much trickier to keep Mitchell and Conley quiet off the bounce.

Utah has started with a 100% record against the spread after going 47-35-1 last season. They’re a good bet to cover anywhere up to seven or eight points.

Pick: Jazz +1.5 (-110)

Author Image