Suns vs Bucks Odds, Preview, Prediction | NBA Betting Preview (Sunday, March 17)

Here's everything you need to know about Suns vs. Bucks on Sunday, Mar. 17 — our expert Suns vs Bucks prediction and betting picks in my preview for today's game.

The Phoenix Suns finally have their big three healthy and active, but the lack of time on the court together is rearing its ugly head. Since Bradley Beal last retuned on March 2nd, the Suns are 4-4, including one overtime win and one 19-point comeback against the Cavaliers missing key players.

On defense the Suns have two glaring issues: there's neither a reliable point of attack lead perimeter defender nor is there reliable rim protection. On offense, the Suns run into a math problem where the shots they generate in the midrange, despite their relative efficiency on those shots, cannot keep up with teams that shoot 3s and run out in transition and attack the rim.

I am willing to sell on the Suns and look to fade them, but now is not the right time against the Bucks. With Giannis Antetokounmpo landing on the injury report, it is difficult to say if the early line movement is Suns steam or injury related. My preferred play is the under, knowing that the Suns' midrange approach will face a tough physical task in a time where the whistles are not blowing frequently.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been the one team that has been nearly impossible for me to figure out. Nonetheless, it has become clear the emphasis for this team out of the All-Star Break has been defense. They are communicating more clearly and relying on drop coverage, which fits their roster construction.

With the task at hand to defend the Phoenix Suns, the Bucks have the right pieces to stay in front and contest jumpers and clean up the glass. I expect the Bucks to limit the Suns' second-chance points, and one-possession offenses lead to under games because time will be eaten up simply by pacing the court.

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This is an NBA afternoon game, and these spots trend toward the under. Player schedules are slightly different, pregame routines are harder to fit in, and the start becomes slower in pace and rustier in play. Consequently, I love betting opening line unders for NBA afternoon games. This trick can be applied to Christmas games annually as well.

The early betting splits show over 70% of the bets and 90% of the early money is on the under. This line is going to drop closer to 226, and is worth a play at any number 228 or above.

Suns vs Bucks Pick: Under 228.5 | Bet to 228