Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz Pro Basketball Predictions

Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz
Monday, 11/29/10, 9:00 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Utah -10
Current Betting Line: Utah -9
Opening Total: 189
Current Total: 188
Current Moneyline: Utah -475 / Milwaukee +395

The Utah Jazz have a perfect 6-0 record against Eastern Conference opponents heading into tonight's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks in Salt Lake City

Milwaukee snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday night with a 104-101 win at home against Charlotte. The Bucks had six players finish in double-figures in that contest, including all five starters. It was the first time this season that the team had all five starters in double-figures. The magic number for the Bucks appears to be 89. That’s the number of points they need to score to win game, picking up victories in seven of nine contest when reaching that number. Saturday’s game also broke a streak of eight-straight games in which the Bucks had out-rebounded their opponent, grabbing a season-low 32 boards. The team is 0-7 ATS in non-conference games this season and the NBA lines page has them listed as an underdog.

The Bucks are certainly getting it done defensively in allowing the fewest points in the paint area each game at 34.1 per contests. Milwaukee is also allowing the fourth-fewest second-chance points at 11.1. The squad will be facing a Utah unit that has won each of its six games against Eastern Conference teams, with four of those taking place away from Salt Lake City. Milwaukee has been limited by injuries over the past few games and may be without its top rebounders in Andrew Bogut and Drew Gooden in this contest. The two front court players are averaging 10.9 and 7.5 rebounds per game respectively.

Utah enters tonight winners of 13 of its last 16 games and has a current five-game winning streak. “Our guys have played pretty well together and our bench has given us a tremendous lift to put us in a position to be able to win a lot of those games,” said coach Jerry Sloan. “Those guys have given us a great deal of life to fight back.” The Jazz are 6-3 at home this season, including a 2-0 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. The team is 41-41 all-time in the series against the Bucks, with each team owning a 24-17 record at home. Utah has won the past eight games played in Salt Lake City. The squad is 6-0 ATS in non-conference games.

The Jazz had all five starters score in double-figures in picking up a 109-97 win over the Clippers in their last game. Utah overcame a 39-28 rebounding deficit with 58.6 percent shooting from the field and eight blocks. Defensively, the team has held 10 of its last 11 opponents under 100 points and sixth man C.J. Miles said the unit is starting to come together. “That’s really what it is, confidence and getting comfortable with each other,” he stated. “When you like the guys around you, you play harder for guys you tend to like.” Point guard Deron Williams continues to pace the team offensively, scoring 21 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games.