New Orleans @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 13, 2017 ) Milwaukee 108, New Orleans 115

The Milwaukee Bucks came out of the All-Star break hoping to make a move in the Eastern Conference and made a statement by earning a win at East-leading Toronto on Friday. The New Orleans Pelicans, who visit the Bucks on Saturday, are trying to make their own move in the tightly-packed West and are winners of four straight.

The Bucks are sitting in the No. 6 spot in the East and went into overtime on Friday before pulling out a 122-119 triumph over Toronto. "I thought it was a big win for us psychologically," reserve guard Jason Terry told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This is a team that's really had our number -- sent us home early (from the playoffs) last year, haven't had much success against them this year. It's not a team that we don't feel that we can beat, we just needed to physically beat them so mentally we could prove to ourselves that it can be done." The other overtime game in the NBA on Friday took place in New Orleans, where the Pelicans were riding All-Star Anthony Davis to a 124-123 win over the Heat. Davis collected 45 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and five steals in a performance that is becoming commonplace for the for the 24-year-old superstar.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (32-26): Davis is averaging 42.3 points and 14.8 rebounds during the four-game winning streak and is carrying the team in the absence of center DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles). "I'm just trying to do my part," Davis told reporters. "That's it. When (Cousins) first went out, I was overthinking, trying to do things I wouldn't normally do. Now I'm just playing basketball, relying on a lot of instincts and a lot of confidence. I'm just trying to make the right play, whether it's for me or my teammates. Everyone's confidence is up right now, and we're generating wins off of that." Davis will have to carry New Orleans during a stretch of five road games over the next six contests as it attempts to move out of a pack of teams fighting below the top two spots in the West.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (33-25): Milwaukee has its own All-Star capable of carrying the team in forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the rest of the roster is coming up with strong performances as well. Antetokounmpo (26 points) was one of three players along with Khris Middleton (21) and Eric Bledsoe (21) to go over 20 points on Friday and the bench is stronger with the addition of Jabari Parker. Terry is taking on a bigger role since Joe Prunty replaced Jason Kidd as head coach and is 15-of-25 from 3-point range in his last nine games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks C Tyler Zeller (illness) sat out Friday and is day-to-day.

2. Hornets PG Jrue Holiday is averaging 24 points and 9.3 assists over the last four contests.

3. New Orleans earned a 115-108 home win over Milwaukee on Dec. 13 behind 25 points and 10 rebounds from Davis.

PREDICTION: Bucks 123, Pelicans 117