Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (44-28)
March 28, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +2; Over/Under: +228.5
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The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans meet Thursday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Bucks vs Pelicans prediction.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after coming up just short to the Lakers in a 128-124 double overtime loss on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with a triple-double of 29 points with 21 rebounds and 11 assists, Damian Lillard added 27 points with eight assists while Malik Beasley chipped in with 21 points. As a team, the Bucks shot just 41 percent from the field and 15 of 51 from the 3-point line as they dominated the first quarter to take an early 19-point lead, only to score just 13 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Lakers to run them down and steal the game in overtime.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in great shape as they’ve won nine of their last 12 games overall, but they will be eager for a better result in this one after getting beaten by the Thunder in a 119-112 home defeat on Tuesday. Zion Williamson led the team with 29 points and 10 assists on 10 of 17 shooting, CJ McCollum added 23 points with six rebounds and five assists while Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy scored 16 points each. As a team, the Pelicans shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line, but they were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 40-24 in the second quarter to trail by as many as 20 points at one stage. The Pelicans will face the Celtics after this game.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have won each of their last four games as home underdogs following a home loss.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- Fourteen of the last 15 games between the Bucks and Pelicans have gone OVER the total points line.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Facts
- The Bucks have won seven of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last four games as favorites against the Pelicans.
- Each of the Bucks’ last six games as favorites against the Pelicans have gone OVER the total points line.
Bucks vs Pelicans prediction
The Bucks could be a little shorthanded here with Patrick Beverley listed as questionable. The Pelicans have ruled out Brandon Ingram again, and they have Jose Alverado listed as questionable. The Bucks were on a nice run before they got stopped in their tracks by the Lakers in their last outing, but the Pelicans have been in better form with nine wins in their past 12 outings. You can make an argument for either side here, but with the Pelicans playing without Ingram, I’m more comfortable going with the Bucks to get the narrow win and cover on the road.
