New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks, Odds, Predictions 12/18/20

The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans meet Friday in NBA preseason action at the Smoothie King Center.

The Milwaukee Bucks look for a preseason win after losing twice to the Mavericks. The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 107 points on 45 percent shooting and allowing 120 points on 43.8 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 24.5 points and 12 rebounds while Khris Middleton is averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 assists. Bobby Portis is the third double-digit scorer and DJ Wilson is dishing two assists. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 29.6 percent from beyond the arc and 72.1 percent from the free thitem line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 43.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 47.5 rebounds per game.

The New Orleans Pelicans look for another preseason win after beating the Heat on Monday. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 92 points on 42.7 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds while Brandon Ingram is averaging 22 points and six assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the third double-digit scorer and Lonzo Ball is grabbing four rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 31.6 percent from beyond the arc and 83.9 percent from the free thitem line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 28.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 51 rebounds per game.

The Bucks are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Pelicans are 6-19-2 ATS in their last 27 Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans and 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.

The Milwaukee Bucks got torched defensively in two games against the Mavericks, and now at this point you have to question how much the starters are going to play after seeing some serious playing time in the first two games. The New Orleans Pelicans looked solid in their win over the Heat, and they should play a similar rotation with this being their second and final game. I’ll take the free bucket with the Pels given we likely see their starters more.