Suns vs Bucks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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16 March 2024

Suns vs Bucks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks have championship rosters on paper, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions surrounding the two. Regardless, our NBA picks are expecting the Suns' big three to make a statement Sunday.

It’s a battle of question-mark contenders when the Phoenix Suns visit the Milwaukee Bucks. That question mark also includes the availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be a game time decision (hamstring).

The Suns are seventh in the West but are undoubtedly the team no one wants to deal with in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. They’re currently two-point road dogs in the NBA odds against Milwaukee, who, barring a major collapse, will own a Top 3 seed in the East.

The home side will be welcoming back Khris Middleton, but will that help swing this decision in its favor? Read on for my free NBA picks for the Suns vs Bucks on March 17.

Suns vs Bucks odds

Suns vs Bucks predictions

The Phoenix Suns have reeled off four wins in their last six, with both losses coming at the hands of Boston.

The Suns put the vice grip on Charlotte last time out in a 107-96 win — just the fourth time Phoenix has held an opponent to under 100 points all season. Phoenix will hope its defense makes the trip to Wisconsin, as it limited the Hornets to just 37.2% shooting from the field and a paltry 6-for-37 from distance.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are a Top 4 scoring team in the NBA, putting up 120.4 points per game — one of four teams scoring above the 120-point plateau. That offense has been off lately, as Milwaukee had lost three of four, scoring under 95 in two of those games.

The Bucks are now averaging 108.8 points per game in their last five and have topped 120+ just once in those contests. This will be the second and final meeting between these teams this year with the Suns winning at home 114-106 back on February 6.

Milwaukee caught the full brunt of Phoenix’s Big Three beast, with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker combining for 85 points — but Damian Lillard was out and Khris Middleton was just working back from injury.

The Bucks' main concerns are getting their defense up to acceptable contender standards and getting Middleton right for a deep playoff push. I think those will factors will continue to affect a sagging offense as they battle one of the best scoring trios in the NBA — with or without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

My best bet: Suns +2 (-110 at DraftKings)

Suns vs Bucks same-game parlay

Suns +2Grayson Allen Over 2.5 made threes

Jusuf Nurkic Under 11.5 rebounds

Grayson Allen might have the cleanest looks of any guard in the NBA, and he’s making hay. Allen went 3-for-9 from distance against the Hornets, and that gives him three straight games crossing his 2.5 make line and five of his last six.

If his volume of attempts continues — Allen is putting up 8.2 attempts per game over his last six — he should ring it up against his former club.

Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic has been a board machine with back-to-back 20+ rebound performances against the Hornets and Celtics, while topping the 11.5 rebound line set for Sunday five times in seven games.

So why am I taking him to go Under? Milwaukee is the second-best defensive rebounding team in the NBA, with a frontcourt of Giannis and Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis holding down the fort in a reserve role.

Nurk’s recent run of success has lifted this total high enough that I’m comfortable having him fall Under the number against the Bucks.

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Suns vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis

The spread had been as high as 4.5 points, but Giannis’ uncertainty has forced the sites to claw back to the 2.0-to-2.5-point range.

The Suns are among the worst cover teams in basketball, going just 26-39-2 against the spread. The Bucks are just a few spots higher, with a subpar 29-37-1 ATS mark.

Once as high as 232.5 points, the total has mostly hovered at the 229-230-point range. Both teams have winning Under records: Phoenix is 38-29-0, while the Bucks have seen the Under go 34-31-2 on the year.