New Orleans is 16-5-1 ATS in its last 22 games, but that hot run will be tested Tuesday when the Pels host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. Milwaukee has won the last three meetings while the OVER has cashed in seven straight and 21 of the last 29.
- Date/Time: February 4, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Smoothie King Center
- TV Coverage: TNT, TSN
- Sportsbook Odds: Bucks -6.5 / O/U 244
- Bucks vs Pelicans Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bucks have struggled lately as short road favorites, going 2-7 ATS in their last nine when laying 6.5 points or less — including six SU losses. New Orleans took early money after the opener, moving this line down to +6 as of Monday night. Initial action was also on the OVER, moving the total up to 245.
Milwaukee News & Notes
After having a nine-game winning streak snapped Friday with a 127-115 loss at home to Denver, the Bucks got right back on the horse Sunday with a 129-108 rout of the visiting Suns. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished an assist shy of a triple-double in just 31 minutes while Brook Lopez recorded a career-high nine blocks as the Bucks remained perfect this year (7-0 SU) when coming off a loss.
The Bucks are also a league-best 19-4 SU on the road, where they’re 13-9 ATS. Defense has keyed Milwaukee’s success on the highway as the Bucks have held seven of their last eight hosts to 106 points or less, covering six of those contests in the process. Milwaukee is allowing an average of 106.5 points per game on the road, and it is outscoring opponents by an average of 28.7-25.4 in the Sportsbook quarter.
New Orleans News & Notes
Don’t judge the Pelicans solely by their 20-30 SU record. New Orleans has been one of the best bets in the NBA over the past month and a half, going 16-5-1 ATS in its last 22 games overall and 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 as an underdog. The Pelicans are also 3-3 SU since Zion Williamson made his debut January 22 against the Spurs.
Speaking of Williamson, expect a heavier dose of the mammoth rookie if Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has his way. Williamson had 21 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s 117-109 loss at Houston, but the Duke product attempted just two field goals in the final 11 minutes as the Rockets outscored New Orleans 25-16 in the final frame.
“That’s something I’ve got to make sure that will never happen again,” Gentry told reporters, referring to Williamson’s lack of touches down the stretch. The Pelicans also will look to take better control of the ball after turning it over 21 times against Houston — including 10 times in the first quarter.
Betting Pick: Pelicans +6
The Pelicans are 7-1 ATS in their last eight following a SU loss and have covered six of their last eight as a home underdog.
- The OVER is 16-5 in the Bucks’ last 21 games vs teams with a losing record.
- The Pelicans are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games as an underdog.
- The OVER is 21-8 in the Bucks’ last 29 games against the Pelicans.
