The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans meet tonight The Big Easy.
The Bucks annihilated the visiting Utah Jazz last time out on Saturday by a 123-97 score, cashing as favorites by just one bucket.
The Pelicans came up just short in Phoenix Saturday, closing out a three-game road trip with an 0-3 SU and ATS mark.
Can Milwaukee get back on track on the road, especially against the number, or will New Orleans thrive now that it's back home? We’ll discuss in our NBA betting picks for Bucks vs. Pelicans on Monday, December 19.
Bucks vs Pelicans best odds
Bucks vs Pelicans picks and predictions
The Bucks were able to thump the Jazz Saturday night despite the fact Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out to rest his sore left knee. He is considered probable to play in this one, although Khris Middleton is expected to be sidelined for a second consecutive outing.
The good news for the Bucks is that the versatile Joe Ingles is also back from a long-term knee injury, and he is expected to play Monday. He was recovering from surgery to repair his left anterior cruciate ligament, and this will be his regular-season debut. Expect a minutes cap of some sort as he knocks off the rust, but it’s still a good sign that Milwaukee continues to get healthy, and closer to full staff.
Jrue Holiday also returned Saturday after battling a non-COVID illness, and he was good for 21 points, eight assists, four assists, and three 3-pointers, another great sign.
The Bucks are looking very dangerous, going for 123 points or more in three of the past six games.
The Pelicans continue to miss the services of Brandon Ingram, who is sidelined due to a toe issue. Larry Nance Jr. is also doubtful to play due to a sore Achilles, so the Pellies will be a bit shorthanded.
Expect the championship-hopeful Bucks to get it done on the road, and all Milwaukee needs to do is simply win. Play the moneyline, and don’t worry about laying the point and -1.5 line at some shops.
My best bet: Bucks moneyline (-114 at Pinnacle)
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Bucks vs Pelicans spread analysis
The home side has won straight up in each of the previous four meetings in this series, so know there is a little risk rolling the dice on the Bucks. But they’re simply the better team, and, as mentioned above, they’re getting healthier by the minute.
The good news is that Milwaukee is a healthy 5-1-2 ATS in the past eight games against teams with a winning overall record.
However, know that betting the Bucks comes with a little risk, and we can’t just tell you all the good things. The Bucks are 0-3-1 ATS in the past four on the road, so you’ll be betting against one trend. But, Milwaukee also played a majority of those games shorthanded.
The Pelicans have managed to cover four of the past five games at home, and the Pellies are 4-1 ATS in the past five against teams with a winning overall record, too. However, NOLA is 1-4 ATS in the past five at home against teams with a winning road mark, for which the Bucks easily qualify.
Bucks vs Pelicans Over/Under analysis
Surprisingly, the Bucks offense has managed 112.6 points per game this season, which ranks just No. 17 in the NBA. This is a team that is just so-so from behind the 3-point line, too, hitting at 35.2% from behind the arc.
Defensively, the Bucks are yielding just 108.4 PPG to rank No. 4, and they hold the opposition to just 44.9% shooting, second-best in The Association.
Despite the strong defensive numbers, again, this is a team getting healthier, and one that has shown real glimpses of offensive brilliance, clearing 123 points three times since December 7. The Over is 2-1 in their past three games and 8-6 in the past 14 games overall.
The Pelicans have been an Over bettors’ favorite team lately, going 4-1 in the past five games. It helps that two of the games went to overtime.
Like Milwaukee, New Orleans has had a nice offensive roll lately, going for 121 or more points in five of its previous nine games.
The Pelicans averaged 117.3 PPG to rank No. 4, while hitting triples at a 36.5% clip, good for No. 9 in the NBA. Defensively, New Orleans is mediocre, allowing 112.0 PPG, although it is good at clamping down on its opponents' 3-point attempts.
No one will mistake this for an NBA All-Star Game, but we’ll see a healthy share of points for the Over. Playing the Bucks ML and Over makes for a nice parlay opportunity.
Bucks vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Over is 25-9 in the previous 34 meetings between these teams, including 6-1 in the past seven battles in the Crescent City. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Pelicans.
Bucks vs Pelicans game info
| Location: | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Date: | Monday, December 19, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports Wisconsin |
