In the final games before the All-Star break, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will be on the road facing Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies, and we have searched through the NBA odds to find you the best bet for this matchup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Doc Rivers are all headed to the All-Star game to represent the Bucks, but before they can make the trip to Indianapolis for the festivities, one last road game against the Grizzlies awaits.
With the Grizzlies likely excited for the first half of the season to end and the Bucks looking ahead to the break, who am I backing in my free NBA picks for Bucks vs. Grizzlies on Thursday, February 15th?
Bucks vs Grizzlies odds
Bucks vs Grizzlies predictions
Let's be honest here, this is a brutal spot for both teams. If you're the Milwaukee Bucks, you have to make the trip to Tennessee to play against a depleted roster in a building that won't have much life after just getting blown out by the Miami Heat in South Florida. And to top it all off, most teams are already on their All-Star break and headed for vacation.
It doesn't get much better for the Memphis Grizzlies, though, because they will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after facing the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. The first half of the season has been an absolute grind for the Grizzlies in the wake of a ton of injuries.
While several teams in a similar spot as the Grizzlies might quit and coast into the All-Star break, that is not the DNA that Taylor Jenkins has installed into this team. They have fought the entire season regardless of who is in their starting lineup, and I expect they will bring that same effort on Thursday against the Bucks.
Give me the Grizzlies +11.5. It feels like more of a trap game for the Bucks. It's hard to look at this Grizzlies roster and take them seriously, but if the Bucks don't bring it, Memphis can cover the lofty spread.
One of the main reasons I favor the Grizzlies catching 11.5 points is their defense and two players in particular, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Vince Williams Jr. Not only are they elite defenders, but they can match up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard while being extremely disruptive to both. Not too many teams have someone who can match Antetokounmpo's size and speed, and meet him at the rim on his drives, but Jackson can cause problems for the Greek Freak.
Also, against this Grizzlies defense, the loss of Khris Middleton could be magnified when you're trying to cover an 11.5-point spread, and the Grizzlies have two defenders who can take away your main two offensive threats. I think the Grizzlies should be closer to an 8.5-point underdog against the Bucks, and it's why I'm backing them tonight.
My best bet: Grizzlies +11.5 (-110 at bet365)
Bucks vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
Grizzlies +11.5
Over 223.5
Race to 20 points in 1Q: Grizzlies
In the best bet, when discussing why I was taking the Grizzlies to cover the 11-point spread, I highlighted their defense and the matchups they can use against Antetokounmpo and Lillard. While I think the Grizzlies will cover the number, that doesn't automatically lead me to pair the Grizzlies +11 with the Under on the game total.
The total is its own separate number and at 223.5, we should be looking at the Over. The Grizzlies can slow the Bucks offense down to keep this game within 11 points, and this game can go Over the total. Both can be true, and this is the more probable outcome with it trading at 223.5.
You could see the Bucks come out a bit flat, and the Grizzlies jump out to a first-quarter lead. If the Grizzlies can win the first quarter, this would go a long way in them covering the 11-point spread, and it's why I'm taking the Grizzlies to win the race to 20 points in the first quarter.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bucks vs Grizzlies spread and Over/Under analysis
At FanDuel, the Bucks opened as a 10-point favorite, which was where FanDuel was still trading this line at the time of writing. Since then, the market has almost entirely shifted to Bucks -11.5 with the odd -11 available.
The total opened at DraftKings at 226.5, and that has dropped considerably overnight. The market consensus has the total listed at 223.5 with both the Over and Under trading at -110.
Covers community NBA picks
Bucks vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Milwaukee Bucks have hit the 3Q Game Total Under in 30 of their last 48 games (+10.50 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Grizzlies.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Bucks vs Grizzlies game info
| Location: | FedExForum, Memphis, TN |
| Date: | Thursday, February 15, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Bucks vs Grizzlies latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
