Milwaukee Bucks (24-17) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (12-32)
January 22, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +7.5; Over/Under: 230.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Milwaukee Bucks invade the Smoothie King Center to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Bucks Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Bucks Pick.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in great shape as they’ve won seven of their last eight games overall and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after routing the 76ers in a 123-109 home win on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, Damian Lillard added 25 points while Khris Middleton chipped in with 13 points and eight assists off the bench. As a team, the Bucks shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with their defense by holding the 76ers to just 21 points in the first quarter. The Bucks kept them at bay until the fourth quarter when the Bucks pulled away in front of their home crowd. The Bucks will meet the Heat and Clippers after this game.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are starting to heat up as they’ve won five of their last six games overall. The Pelicans will be eager to build on their current four-game win streak after outlasting the Jazz in a 123-119 overtime home win on Monday. CJ McCollum led the team with 45 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 18 of 31 shooting, Dejounte Murray added 26 points with nine rebounds and 11 assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 24 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they clawed their way back from an early 25-point deficit to force overtime. The Pelicans held the Jazz to just nine points to pull off the impressive comeback victory.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won each of their 11 previous home games against the Bucks following a win.
- The Bucks have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Bucks’ last seven games.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Bucks have won each of their last seven night games.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bucks’ last six games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last six games against the Bucks following a home win has gone OVER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Bucks Prediction
The Bucks are still slightly shorthanded with AJ Green still out, while the Pelicans have ruled out Brandon Ingram again, and they have Zion Williamson listed as questionable. The Pelicans would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their thrilling comeback win over the Jazz in their last outing, but it’s hard to get too excited about beating the lowly Jazz these days. The Bucks are coming into this one with plenty of momentum, they have all their key players healthy and should have little trouble getting the win and cover on the road.
