Milwaukee Bucks @ Memphis Grizzlies - October 31, 2024

As I prepare for the matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, it’s clear that both teams are in search of a much-needed victory. The oddsmakers have opened with the Bucks as 4.5-point favorites, but given their recent struggles, this game presents an intriguing narrative.

Let’s dive into some key stats. The Bucks come into this game with a record of 1-3 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost three consecutive games, which has to weigh on their confidence. Their offensive output sits at 114 points per game with a shooting percentage of 48.3%, though they struggle from beyond the arc at just under 33%. On defense, they average nearly 45 rebounds per game but allow opponents to capitalize on turnovers—averaging about 16 per contest.

Conversely, the Grizzlies hold a slightly better record at 2-3 SU but share similar woes ATS, sitting at just one cover in five attempts. Offensively, they’re putting up impressive numbers—averaging over 120 points per game with a solid shooting percentage of around 47%. However, their free throw shooting is concerning at just above 66%, and defensively they’ve been giving away too many fouls (over 26 per game), which could be detrimental against a team like Milwaukee that can capitalize on such opportunities.

What stands out in this matchup is how both teams have performed recently. The Bucks failed to cover as +9 underdogs against Boston last time out while allowing themselves to be outscored by double digits. Similarly, Memphis couldn’t find their footing against Brooklyn as heavy favorites and ended up losing outright despite being favored by -12.

The trends also reveal interesting insights: Milwaukee is currently on a streak where they’ve gone OVER in six of their last nine games; meanwhile, Memphis has seen six of their last seven contests go OVER as well. Given these statistics and trends combined with both teams’ current form—especially considering Memphis’s high-scoring capabilities—it seems likely we will see another high-scoring affair tonight.

In my prediction for this matchup: I believe the Milwaukee Bucks will beat the Memphis Grizzlies tonight and successfully cover the spread. Despite their recent struggles, I anticipate that they’ll leverage their experience and more efficient shooting to get back on track against a Grizzlies squad that’s also trying to find its rhythm after inconsistent performances.

Moreover, I expect this game’s total to surpass the opening line of 224.5 points due to both teams’ offensive strengths coupled with defensive vulnerabilities—particularly Memphis’s propensity for fouling and allowing second-chance opportunities.

In summary: Look for Milwaukee to break their losing streak tonight while taking advantage of Memphis’s defensive lapses—and don’t be surprised if we see plenty of scoring along the way!