Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction 1/22/25
At 8:00 ET, the Pelicans will host the Bucks in a non-conference matchup. Milwaukee is currently favored by 6 points and has a moneyline of -245.
The over/under line for this game is 233.5. The Bucks come into this game on a 4-game win streak and are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference. The Pelicans are also on a 4-game win streak, but have the 14th best record in the West.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK
The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +6
This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 ET on Wednesday, January 22nd.
WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 136-133 in favor of the Pelicans.
- Our projections have Zion Williamson finishing with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.0% and knocking down 15 threes.
Do the Bucks Have a Shot at a Win at New Orleans?
The Bucks improved to 24-17 this season with a 123-109 win over the 76ers on Sunday. Milwaukee, favored by 13 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 232 points went over the pre-game line of 226.
After the 76ers went on a 10-0 run early, the Bucks responded, outscoring Philadelphia 30-21 in the 1st quarter. The teams played evenly in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but Milwaukee pulled away in the 4th, outscoring the 76ers 33-28 to seal the win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a win over the 76ers with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting 76.5% from the field. Damian Lillard added 25 points, including 16 in the 4th quarter, despite shooting 41.2% overall and 36.4% from three, where he made 4 threes.
The Bucks shot 49.4% from the field and 37.8% from three, hitting 14 threes in the game. Khris Middleton contributed 13 points and 8 assists, while Brook Lopez and Taurean Prince added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Defensively, the Bucks gave up 109 points to the 76ers but still came away with the win. They allowed 21 points in the 1st quarter, 29 in the 2nd, 31 in the 3rd, and 28 in the 4th. The 76ers shot 45% from the field.
From beyond the arc, Milwaukee held Philadelphia to 16 made threes on 35% shooting. The 76ers went 15/22 from the free-throw line. The Bucks grabbed 41 defensive rebounds, giving up just 5 offensive boards, and recorded 2 steals and 3 blocks.
No Pressure for New Orleans as Home Dogs
The Pelicans improved to 12-32 on the season with a 123-119 win over the Jazz on Monday. Despite being -11 point favorites, New Orleans didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 242 points went over the pre-game line of 230.
New Orleans fell behind early after a 14-0 Jazz run, but they chipped away at the lead, outscoring Utah 33-20 in the 3rd quarter and 28-21 in the 4th to complete the comeback.
CJ McCollum’s 45-point performance, including 18 points in the 4th quarter and 6 in OT, led the Pelicans to a 123-119 win over the Jazz. McCollum hit 5 threes at 41.7%, finishing with a 58.1% shooting percentage overall.
Dejounte Murray added 26 points, with 13 in the 2nd quarter and 11 in the 3rd, despite shooting 33.3% from the field. Trey Murphy contributed 24 points, hitting 4 threes at 40% efficiency. The Pelicans made 15 threes as a team, shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc and 44.6% overall.
Despite a rough start, the Pelicans’ defense tightened up in the 2nd half, allowing just 20 points in the 3rd quarter and 21 in the 4th, helping them secure a 123-119 win over the Jazz. Overall, they held Utah to 39% shooting from the field.
The Pelicans were particularly effective at defending the three, limiting the Jazz to 23% shooting from deep with just 11 made threes. Defensively, they also contributed with 12 steals and 8 blocks.