On Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks will face off in an important interconference game as both teams aim to return to winning form. The Suns are entering the game after a significant 148-109 defeat to the Houston Rockets, while the Bucks suffered a 145-124 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. The Suns, positioned fifth in the Pacific Division with a 35-40 record, are on a three-game losing streak and have a 12-25 record when playing away. The Bucks, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 40-34 record, have lost their last four games and hold a 23-14 home record. A notable absence for Phoenix will be power forward Kevin Durant, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Despite the Bucks winning four of the last six encounters between these teams, the Suns were victorious in their most recent game on March 24, winning 108-106. Milwaukee is favored by 5.5 points in the latest odds. The over/under for the total points in the game is set at 225.
Why the Bucks Could Cover the Spread
The Bucks have been playing without key players, including Bobby Portis, who has missed 21 games due to suspension, and Damian Lillard, who has been out since March 18 with a blood clot in his calf. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been crucial in offense, scoring 30 or more points in his last four games, including 31 points, nine rebounds, and five assists against the Hawks. This season, he averages 30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.
Kyle Kuzma has also been a significant contributor to Milwaukee`s offense, coming off a 25-point, six-rebound game against Atlanta. Since joining the Bucks in February, he has averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Why the Suns Could Cover the Spread
Devin Booker is coming off a strong scoring performance against Houston, scoring 28 points with three assists and rebounds. He has achieved three double-doubles in his last five games. In their previous win against the Bucks on March 24, Booker scored 19 points and provided 12 assists and seven rebounds. This season, he is averaging 25.3 points and seven assists per game.
With Bradley Beal`s availability uncertain due to a hamstring issue, Tyus Jones is expected to play a more significant role in scoring. In a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 21, Jones scored 16 points with three assists and rebounds. He also contributed eight points, three assists, and three rebounds in the previous game against Milwaukee.
Prediction
SportsLine`s model predicts a high-scoring game with a projected total of 227 points, leaning towards the Over. The model also indicates that one side of the spread has a 60% chance of being successful.
Betting Odds
- Spread: Milwaukee -5.5
- Over/Under: 225 points
- Money Line: Milwaukee -226, Suns +186
Jasper Hawthorne