MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS. PHOENIX SUNS ODDS AND PREDICTIONS FOR FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Latest Basketball News. One of the games on tap from tonight’s slate features the Milwaukee Bucks (33-17 SU, 19-31 ATS) taking on the Phoenix Suns (29-21 SU, 19-29-2 ATS).

Here is a look at which team has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

• When: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
  
• Time: 10:00 PM ET
  
• Where: Footprint Center
  
• Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  
• TV: TNT and AZ Family 

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns Odds (Via DraftKings)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns Odds – Regular Season Stats & Betting Trends

Can The Bucks Get Back Into The Win Column Against The Suns?

Milwaukee Bucks Season Stats:

• Scoring Offense: 123.7 PPG – 2ND         
• Offensive Efficiency: 120.8 points per 100 possessions – 3RD              
• Scoring Defense: 119.9 PPG – 24TH         
• Defensive Efficiency: 117.2 points per 100 possessions – 19TH    

The Milwaukee Bucks posted a 30-13 record before firing Adrian Griffin and replacing him with Doc Rivers. Since Rivers’ arrival, the team has dropped three of its last four contests. 

This is certainly not the start the organization had hoped for, but there is still time for this group to realize its full potential. In their most recent outing, the Bucks were defeated by the Utah Jazz 123-108. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo paced Milwaukee with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. He shot an efficient 11-for-15 from the floor, and he converted 11 of his 15 attempts from the charity stripe.

Bobby Portis turned in a solid performance with 27 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Portis also knocked down four of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. Malik Beasley contributed 16 points and three rebounds. 

The turning point of this game occurred in the final 12 minutes. Milwaukee led by 12 points going into the fourth quarter, but they were unable to seal the deal.

“I don’t think it was the energy, I think we need to make shots,” Antetokounmpo said. “It was a lot of wide-open shots that we did not make. You make one or two, the momentum stops and it’s a whole different game.”

Utah outscored Milwaukee by a 40-13 margin en route to their 15-point victory. Additionally, the Bucks committed seven turnovers over the final 18 minutes, which led to 15 points for the home team. 

Not only that, but Milwaukee produced just four baskets in the game-changing quarter. While the Bucks may be the better team on paper, they will encounter similar results if they cannot make plays down the stretch against an incredibly talented Suns team.

Can The Suns Stay Hot Against The Bucks?

Phoenix Suns Season Stats:

• Scoring Offense: 117.3 PPG – 12TH  
• Offensive Efficiency: 118.8 points per 100 possessions – 9TH           
• Scoring Defense: 114.6 PPG – 15TH         
• Defensive Efficiency: 116.0 points per 100 possessions – 16TH       

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are trending in the opposite direction. They have won three of their last four contests and seven of their last 10 overall, enabling them to climb up to the No. 6 spot in the conference playoff race. 

The last time we saw the Suns, they defeated the Washing Wizards 140-112 on Sunday night. Bradley Beal scored a team-high 43 points (against his former team) on 16-for-12 shooting from the field. He converted four of his five attempts from distance while tallying six assists and two steals. 

Kevin Durant added 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. 

Now that we have set the table for this East vs. West matchup, let us look at the betting trends for both sides.

The Picks

The Spread

The Suns opened as a three-point favorite. The line has recently climbed to 3.5 points for the home team (per pre-game.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season. 

• The Bucks are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games. 
• Milwaukee is 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight matchups against the Suns. 
• In their last 11 outings against Western Conference opponents, the Bucks are 2-9 against the spread. 
• The Suns are 3-6 ATS in their last nine Tuesday games.
• Phoenix is 11-5 ATS the last 16 times they have played at home on a Tuesday.

Although neither team has fared well against the spread this season, go with Milwaukee to cover the small spread in this one.

Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks (-3.5)

Over/Under

The projected over/under total for this matchup opened at 246.5 points. The line has recently moved to 243.5. Here is why going with the “under” is the smart choice. 

• The total has gone UNDER five times in the Bucks’ last six games.
• The UNDER total has prevailed in each of Milwaukee’s last five road contests.
• In the Suns’ last 11 games, the UNDER total has cashed in eight times.
• The UNDER total has hit four times in Phoenix’s last five home games.

Prediction: UNDER 243.5 points

Player Prop Bets

One of the key players to watch for the road team is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He currently has -120 odds of scoring more than 32.5 points and -110 odds of finishing with less than 32.5 points.

Here is a glance to see how his numbers compare to the projected points total for this matchup. 

• On the season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.3 points per outing. 
• In 22 road contests this season, he is averaging 32.8 PPG.
• Antetokounmpo has played against Western Conference opponents 14 times this season. In those contests, he is averaging 32.4 points per outing.
• Over his last 10 outings, Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.3 PPG, while exceeding the points total for this matchup three times during that stretch.

Going with the “over” for Antetokounmpo is the smart choice based on the above trends.

Prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 32.5 points

Fresh off his highest point total on the season thus far, the key player to watch for the home team is Bradley Beal. He currently has -105 odds of scoring more than 19.5 points and -125 odds of finishing with less than 19.5 points. 

Let us take a closer look to see how Beal’s numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup. 

• On the season, Beal is averaging 18.1 points per outing.
• In 14 home contests, he is averaging 17.2 PPG.
• Beal has played against Eastern Conference opponents 14 times this season. In those contests, he is averaging 17.2 points per outing.
• In four matchups against Central Division opponents Beal is averaging 17 points per game.
• Beal has played twice on a Tuesday this season. He is averaging 14.5 points per outing. 
• Over his last 10 outings, Beal has averaged 18.5 PPG, exceeding the points total for this matchup four times during that stretch.

Prediction: Bradley Beal UNDER 18.5 points

James’s Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns Picks

• The Spread: Milwaukee Bucks (+3.5)
• Over/Under: UNDER 235 points
• Player Prop Bet #1: Giannis Antetokounmpo OVER 32.5 points
• Player Prop Bet #2: Bradley Beal UNDER 18.5 points