New Orleans @ Milwaukee picks

CJ McCollum has successfully made an impressive 3.6 shots from behind the three-point arc per game this season, significantly more than his 2.8 mark last season. CJ McCollum has tallied 31.1 minutes per game when playing away from home this year, ranking him in the 82nd percentile -- ranking among the most used players in the NBA. The matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks is a favorable one; they have given up the 30th-most points per game in the NBA to the other team's starting PGs this year (21.7). The Bucks have played at the fastest pace-of-play in the league over the last 25 games in their home city, which ought to increase opportunities for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans check in as the 8th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore create new chances for scoring and assists).

The Bucks will likely see a decline in opportunities in this game from facing the 4th-least up-tempo tempo away team in the league over the last 5 games (the New Orleans Pelicans). Damian Lillard has attempted a mere 8.1 free throws per game this year, significantly less than his 9.6 mark last year.

Among all players in the league, Malik Beasley rates in the 76th percentile for playing time, totaling an enormous 29.4 minutes per game this year. The quickest tempo home team in the league over the last 25 games has been the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have been the best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 25 games with the home court advantage (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide additional opportunities for scoring and assists). This year when they are playing at home, opposing teams have brought down 9.3 offensive rebounds per game (2nd-lowest in the league) vs. the New Orleans Pelicans (lessening possessions that could otherwise create added chances for offense). Malik Beasley is expected to see a rise in productivity across the board due to holding the home court advantage in this game.

In contrast to last year's 24.8 clip, Brandon Ingram's points per game have decreased this year to 21.2. The New Orleans Pelicans check in as the 5th-least aggressive offense in the NBA on the road this year in regard to 3-point attempts. The 4th-most lethargic pace-of-play road offense in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the New Orleans Pelicans. While at home, the Milwaukee Bucks have given up the most offensive rebounds per game (11.5) in the NBA to opposing clubs over the last 25 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore produce additional opportunities for scoring and assists). In contrast to last season's 5.4 rate, Brandon Ingram's foul shots made have declined this season to 4.1 per game.

Among all players in the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo slots into the 18th percentile for 3-point proficiency playing at home with a a bad 23.3% rate this year. The Bucks will likely see a decline in opportunities in this game from facing the 4th-least up-tempo tempo away team in the league over the last 5 games (the New Orleans Pelicans).

Among all players in the league, Malik Beasley rates in the 76th percentile for playing time, totaling an enormous 29.4 minutes per game this year. The quickest tempo home team in the league over the last 25 games has been the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have been the best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 25 games with the home court advantage (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide additional opportunities for scoring and assists). This year when they are playing at home, opposing teams have brought down 9.3 offensive rebounds per game (2nd-lowest in the league) vs. the New Orleans Pelicans (lessening possessions that could otherwise create added chances for offense). Malik Beasley is expected to see a rise in productivity across the board due to holding the home court advantage in this game.

Malik Beasley has made 3.3 three-pointers per game over the last 15 games at home, 0.6 higher than he's converted over the course of the season with the home court advantage. Among all players in the league, Malik Beasley rates in the 76th percentile for playing time, totaling an enormous 29.4 minutes per game this year. This year, the opposition's starting SGs have averaged 6.1 three attempts per game (27th-highest in the league) against the Pelicans, marking this as a strong matchup. The quickest tempo home team in the league over the last 25 games has been the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have been the best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 25 games with the home court advantage (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide additional opportunities for scoring and assists).

Among all players in the league, Jonas Valanciunas lands in the 83rd percentile for scoring performance away from his home court with a an exceptional 53.6% rate this year. The matchup vs. Brook Lopez is a positive one for shots from the field; when facing fellow starting Cs this year, they have attempted a massive 12.0 shots made from the field per game (100th percentile). The Bucks have played at the fastest pace-of-play in the league over the last 25 games in their home city, which ought to increase opportunities for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans check in as the 8th-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore create new chances for scoring and assists). Jonas Valanciunas has attempted 4.2 foul shots per game over the last 5 games while on the road, 1.1 higher than he's attempted in all games this season on the road.