New Orleans Pelicans (26-23) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (32-17)
January 29, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Milwaukee Bucks -9.5; Over/Under: +235
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans invade the Fiserv Forum to battle the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 12 of their last 15 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a seven-game slide after falling to the Wizards in a 113-103 loss last night. CJ McCollum led the team with 24 points and five assists, Brandon Ingram added 22 points with six rebounds and four assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 10 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 42 percent from the field and eight of 29 from the 3-point line, but they struggled to match the Wizards early on and were always playing from behind after scoring just 20 points in the second quarter. The Pelicans were outscored in every quarter and trailed by as many as 16 points until they made a late run in the fourth quarter to keep the final scores respectable.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been in great form as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after taking down the Pacers in a 141-131 road win on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 41 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, Jrue Holiday added 20 points with nine rebounds and nine assists while Khris Middleton chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Bucks shot 53 percent from the field and 18 of 43 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 45 points in the first quarter, before they poured in another 40 points in the second quarter to lead by as many as 33 points before they took their foot off the gas in the second half.
Looking at the betting trends, the Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last four Sunday games, 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games playing on zero days’ rest. The Bucks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games, 1-4 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning record and 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games against a team with a losing road record.
Head to head, the over is 6-0 in the last six meetings in Milwaukee and the over is 26-9 in the last 35 meetings overall.
The Pelicans will again be missing Zion Williamson and they have Brandon Ingram listed as day to day, while the Bucks are still missing Bobby Portis, but the good news is that they are expecting to have Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup. The Pelicans have been mired in their worst slump of the season and they are now playing on zero days’ rest against the Bucks who have been in a groove lately. The Bucks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and I think that trend continues here as the Bucks get the win and cover.
