WE’VE got another day of NBA best bets for PlayBook followers to help you get through your Monday.
Let’s take a look at today’s marquee match up to find the best value on the board;
Utah Jazz @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Jazz head to Milwaukee to face the NBA Champs on their hardwood to end their east coast road trip.
This game is a tough one for both sides, with both coming in on the second night of a back-to-back in what is a tough schedule spot for all involved.
Utah were dominant in this matchup last season, thanks in large to the huge disparity in 3-point shooting at the time.
While the Jazz haven’t started this season with the same level of consistency from deep this season they’re still sitting atop the NBA in attempts per game from beyond the arc.
Milwaukee’s only experience with a team of similar 3-point volume so far this season was against Minnesota; a game where they lost outright as comfortable favourites. Utah own a lot more depth in personnel and also play with far more conviction and intent than the young T’wolves so if you’re to use that as a reference point it’s clear that the Bucks – at least in the regular season – still don’t have the natural matchup against perimeter heavy offence’s on defence.
An area of key concern to match is the rebounding advantage that Utah – and in particular, Rudy Gobert – will have in this one. The Bucks have struggled on the glass and have been allowing a high percentage of repeat possessions, which can also be put down to the fact that the team is still without starting centre Brook Lopez.
Lopez isn’t the only key out either for Milwaukee who have struggled to keep their team healthy and on the floor together to start the new season. Their struggles at both ends of the floor in the absence of Jrue Holiday isn’t particularly surprising and now they’ll also be without swingman Khris Middleton. Until they can at least get their starting five back on the floor together we won’t be seeing the best version of the Bucks.
My adjusted number for this one with the Milwaukee’s situation comes out closer -4.0 even with Middleton in for Utah so I’m happy laying the points even with the market already moving heavily in favour of the Jazz.
Our best bet: Utah Jazz -4.5
