The Milwaukee Bucks just suffered one of the wildest losses this season, but can they recover from that in time to put up a stellar performance this Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies? Or, will the Bucks get dealt another painful blow?

Catch this game live on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 9:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Milwaukee Bucks (35-20/12-13 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Damian Lillard (Probable)
  • Malik Beasley
  • Jae Crowder
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Probable)
  • Brook Lopez

The Bucks got victimized by the strangeness of the NBA last Wednesday when they suffered a loss to the banged-up Miami Heat at home, 123-97. Milwaukee faced a Heat side missing Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, and Terry Rozier, and the Bucks still got slapped in the face by Nikola Jovic and Duncan Robinson, who turned into prime Reggie Miller at least during that night. 

In any case, it is back to the drawing board for Milwaukee, which is now 3-6 in the Doc Rivers Era. It’s not a good record to look at, but even with their struggles under their new coach, it is still possible to imagine Milwaukee steamrolling the Grizzlies. The Bucks still have the weapons to punish the minnows in the league, as they are second in the NBA with 122.2 points per game and third in effective field goal percentage. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are last in the league with just 107.0 points per outing. 

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Home: Memphis Grizzlies (19-36/6-20 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Vince Williams Jr.
  • Luke Kennard
  • John Konchar
  • Santi Aldama
  • Jaren Jackson Jr.

For the first time in February, the Grizzlies were able to taste victory Thursday when they took down the Houston Rockets at home, 121-113.  With that win, the Grizzlies ended a nine-game losing skid. GG Jackson came off the bench and poured a game-high 20 points for the Grizzlies, while Luke Kennard and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 19 and 18 points, respectively. 

There is no longer a high pressure on the Grizzlies to win this season, considering their lineup. That seemingly carefree feeling plus the sense of anxiety for the Bucks can be the perfect mixture of moods that benefits Memphis this Friday. Also, note that the Bucks are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games as double-digit road chalks. They are also just 8-12 ATS this season as road favorites.  On the flipside, the Grizzlies are 3-2 ATS in their last five outings as a double-digit home underdog.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Bucks (-11) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (225.5) hits the Under.

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