If the Milwaukee Bucks lose two of their last three games and the Pistons win two of their last three, perhaps Milwaukee would slip a spot in the standings. But as a 13.5-point favorite tonight, that is rather unlikely.
If the New Orleans Pelicans lose their last three while the Hornets win both of their final two, NOLA could still crack the three-best lottery odds in hopes of landing Cooper Flagg. Then again, no one should expect Charlotte to win two more games.
My Pelicans vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks recognize most players may be checked out, but that creates value on an under-the-radar scorer, Antonio Reeves.
Tip comes at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 10.
Pelicans vs Bucks prediction
My best bet: Antonio Reeves 20+ points (+290 at bet365)
My analysis
Antonio who?
You are not alone in ignorance of who remains available on the New Orleans Pelicans roster. From New Orleans’ opening night roster, no starters remain available. No one who played more than 25 minutes remains available. Yves Missi and Jose Alvarado are the only original rotation pieces still playing.
And they are both on the injury report as day-to-day.
This was not solely a remarkable tanking effort. Injuries waylaid the Pels’ season long before the outright dive to the bottom began. But once that began, they did not crater cautiously.
That leaves someone like Antonio Reeves carrying more of the offensive load than ever expected. In the last two weeks, the rookie has played at least 23 minutes each night, peaking at 37 minutes in a four-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Related: Reeves scored 23 points on Sunday, hitting 5 of 9 threes.
He's poured in 16 or more points in four of his last seven games, largely because he is the last Pelican left to shoot the ball. Reeves has taken at least 10 shots in six of those seven games, reaching as high as 18 and 14 attempts in his last two games.
Does Reeves have a future in the NBA? The second rounder is looking to prove that this week. His contract next year is not guaranteed, and even if Reeves is back with the Pelicans, he will not see as many chances as he is getting right now.
Against a defensively liable Bucks backcourt, Reeves should capitalize tonight.
Pelicans vs Bucks same-game parlay
Antonio Reeves 20+ points
Giannis Antetokounmpo Under 27.5 points
Pelicans +13.5
Officially, Giannis Antetokounmpo is “probable” as he works through a shoulder frustration. It sidelined him against New Orleans on Sunday, but otherwise it has not cut into his play time — clearing 36 minutes in each of his last four games. But Antetokounmpo knows this is a week not to push his body.
The Bucks can assume they are in the No. 5 seed in the East. Easing off the gas late tonight should be natural, and that could be enough to give Reeves and the Pelicans a chance to cover late.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Pelicans vs Bucks odds
Pelicans vs Bucks live odds
Pelicans vs Bucks opening odds
- Spread: New Orleans +15.5 | Milwaukee -15.5
- Moneyline: New Orleans +850 | Milwaukee -1,400
- Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pelicans vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis
- New Orleans opened as a hefty 15.5-point underdog on Wednesday night, not ticking down until Thursday morning.
- The spread moving toward the Pelicans by a bucket mostly underscores the lackluster nature of most NBA games this week.
- This total opened at 221.5 and considered a Thursday morning jump to 223 before falling to 220.5, further emphasizing the lackluster nature of this week.
Pelicans vs Bucks trend
The Pelicans have gone 4-1-2 against the spread as double-digit underdogs in the last month. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Bucks.
How to watch Pelicans vs Bucks
| Location | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date | Thursday, 4-10-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | GCSEN, FanDuel Sports Network-Wisconsin |
Pelicans vs Bucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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