Memphis Grizzlies vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions October 31st 2024

Bucks and Grizzlies Clash as Both Teams Look to Turn Things Around

The Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies square off on Thursday night in Memphis, with each team looking to put early-season struggles behind them. The Bucks are aiming to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Grizzlies are battling injuries and defensive issues. Both teams need a solid performance to start building momentum and steady their seasons.

Bucks Seek Stability Amid a Grueling Road Schedule

The Bucks have had a tough start to the season, with four of their first five games on the road. Integrating Damian Lillard into the lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo has been exciting but comes with challenges, especially against top teams like the Nets and Celtics. Now at 1-3, Milwaukee is eager to find their groove.

Despite the early setbacks, Lillard is keeping a cool head, noting, “The best teams… don’t change when they are doing great, and they don’t change when things aren’t going great.” This level-headedness is crucial as Milwaukee looks for consistency and chemistry on the court.

Giannis has been a reliable powerhouse, averaging 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists through four games, with Lillard adding another 28.0 points and 6.3 assists per game. Head coach Doc Rivers has highlighted Brook Lopez as another key contributor, considering upping his minutes to capitalize on the veteran’s impressive two-way play. Lopez’s experience and presence will be essential as the Bucks try to stabilize on the road.

Grizzlies Grapple with Defensive Woes and Injury Setbacks

The Grizzlies are also feeling the pressure after two frustrating home losses, including a narrow 126-123 defeat to the Bulls where they gave up a 20-point lead in the second quarter. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns have plagued Memphis, with a recent game against the Nets featuring 22 turnovers and the Bulls hitting a franchise-record 25 three-pointers.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is keeping things in perspective, saying, “It’s (only) five games in,” but he knows the team needs to tighten up on defense and reduce mistakes. Injuries have added to Memphis’s challenges, with key players Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane exiting Wednesday’s game due to an ankle and oblique injury, respectively. With these potential absences, Jenkins may turn to Brandon Clarke and rookie Zach Edey to fill in and bring energy on the court.

Players to Watch: Star Power and Fresh Talent

Both teams have standout players who could make a big impact on Thursday. For the Bucks, the dynamic duo of Giannis and Lillard brings nearly 30 points per game each, giving Milwaukee a strong offensive edge. Their chemistry will be vital as the Bucks try to settle into a rhythm. Lopez, a defensive mainstay, has been a force in the paint, and Rivers has been so impressed he’s hinted at increasing Lopez’s minutes to maximize his contributions.

Memphis’s Brandon Clarke has been on point, scoring 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting night against the Nets, marking a strong return after last season’s Achilles injury. Rookie Zach Edey, who scored 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting in his best performance yet, is showing promise, which could be especially important as Memphis deals with injuries to key starters.

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Game Strategy: Where Each Team Needs to Focus

• Milwaukee’s Road Resilience: The Bucks need a strong defensive showing and good shot selection to keep up the pressure in Memphis. With their star duo at the forefront, Milwaukee may look to quick offensive setups while maintaining controlled shooting and limiting turnovers. A steady approach could help them maintain the energy needed to pull through in a road-heavy stretch.

• Memphis’s Defensive Adjustments: Defense is Memphis’s biggest priority right now. The Grizzlies’ recent struggles on perimeter defense were on full display in their loss to the Bulls, and they’ll likely aim for tighter coverage and sharper rotations against Milwaukee. If Smart and Bane remain out, Jenkins will look to Clarke and Edey to bring fresh legs, manage the ball carefully, and reduce turnovers to stay competitive.

What’s at Stake

This early-season matchup between the Bucks and Grizzlies is more than just another game—it’s a chance for both teams to reset and gain momentum. The Bucks hope to overcome a challenging start by leaning on their star power and road resilience, while the Grizzlies are focusing on tightening up defensively and drawing strength from their bench. With both teams eager to make a statement, Thursday’s game could mark the beginning of a positive shift for one of these squads as they seek consistency in the season ahead.

Grizzlies vs Bucks October 31st 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Milwaukee Bucks (-233) will take on the Memphis Grizzlies (+193) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for the game is 226.5.

Currently, the Bucks are favored by 6 points, and they come into the game with a 1-3 record. On the other side, the Grizzlies are 2-3 and will be playing at home at FedExForum.

Bucks vs. Grizzlies Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Memphis Grizzlies
• Where: Memphis at FedExForum
• Date: Thursday, October 31st
• Betting Odds MIL -6, MIL -233 | MEM +193 O/U 226.5

The Bucks Can Win If…

Milwaukee’s early-season struggles continued on Monday, as they fell to 1-3 after a 119-108 road loss to the Celtics. The Bucks entered the game as +9 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 227 points came in just under the O/U line of 232.

Milwaukee led 56-53 at halftime but were outscored 37-26 in the 3rd quarter. Boston then went on a 10-0 run to start the 4th, extending their lead from 90-82 to 100-82, effectively putting the game out of reach.

In their loss to the Celtics, the Bucks struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 threes at a 25.8% clip. Overall, they shot 45.1% from the field.

Damian Lillard led the way with 33 points, adding 7 assists and 7 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 30 points and 10 boards. Lillard scored 10 points in the 1st quarter and 9 in the 4th, while Giannis had 11 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

The Bucks played solid defense in the 2nd quarter, holding the Celtics to 25 points, but a 37-point 3rd quarter proved costly in their 119-108 loss. Milwaukee allowed Boston to shoot 49% from the field.

The Celtics hit 18 threes at a 38% clip. The Bucks sent Boston to the line 19 times, where they made 15 free throws. Milwaukee grabbed 35 defensive rebounds, gave up 4 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals and 6 blocks.

• Across the Bucks last ten road games, the team averaged 109 points per game while allowing 117. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 2-8 straight-up.
• Going back to their last three games as the favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
• Over their last three games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Grizzlies Can Win If…

The Grizzlies fell to 2-3 on the season after a 119-106 home loss to the Nets on Wednesday. Memphis, who were favored by 11.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended just under the 225.5-point line, with a combined score of 225.

Memphis trailed 34-29 after the 1st quarter but kept pace by tying the 2nd quarter 33-33. They took a slight edge in the 3rd, outscoring Brooklyn 28-24, but faltered in the 4th, managing only 16 points while allowing 28.

In their 119-108 loss to the Celtics, the Bucks struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 threes at a 25.8% rate. Overall, they shot 45.1% from the field.

Damian Lillard led the way with 33 points, adding 7 assists and 7 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 30 points and 10 boards. Lillard scored 10 points in the 1st quarter, while Giannis added 11 in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

Defensively, the Grizzlies struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 34 and 33 points, respectively, in their 119-106 loss to the Nets. They tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 24 points, but couldn’t contain Brooklyn in the 4th, where they gave up 28 points. Overall, Memphis allowed the Nets to shoot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Grizzlies allowed 15 threes at a 36% clip. They also sent the Nets to the free-throw line 25 times, where Brooklyn converted 22. On the boards, Memphis gave up 8 offensive rebounds while recording 9 steals and 3 blocks.

• Across the Grizzlies last three home games, the team averaged 110 points per game while allowing 120. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Grizzlies have a straight up record of 2-8. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.
• In their last five games, the Grizzlies have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +6, we recommend going with the Grizzlies on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 226.5 and given that our model is projecting 295 points between the teams, we like the over.