NBA Lines & Expert Analysis for Bucks vs Pelicans

Off a completely crushing home loss to the Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks look to get on the right track Thursday in a national TV matchup and potential NBA Finals preview at the New Orleans Pelicans. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. opened as short favorites on the NBA odds. 2024 NBA Expert Analysis Milwaukee vs New Orleans | MyBookie Sportsbook NBA Week 23

How to Bet Bucks at Pelicans NBA Odds & TV Info

TV: NBA TV
Stream: NBA.com, NBA TV app
Radio: Tunein.com NBA Odds: Bucks -2 (total 226)

Why Bet on Milwaukee Bucks?

The Milwaukee Bucks have had some perplexing losses this season but perhaps none more than Tuesday’s 128-124 double-OT home loss to the Lakers – who trailed by 19 in the fourth quarter and didn’t have LeBron James for the game due to minor injury. Austin Reaves had 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 47 minutes for LA, which never led in regulation. Anthony Davis provided 34 points and 23 rebounds while playing 52 minutes despite dealing with a knee problem late in the game.

“A 20-point lead in this league now, it’s nothing because of the way the offense is right now in the league, so high-powered that you can wipe away a lead pretty fast,” Davis said.

After blowing a 94-75 lead in the final 8 minutes, 25 seconds of regulation, the Bucks had a chance to win it at the end of regulation when Khris Middleton lobbed an inbound pass to Giannis Antetokounmpo. But as Antetokounmpo tried to spin around Davis, he lost his balance. He recovered in time to catch the ball, but his only attempt at a shot was a creative layup attempt. It fell off the rim.

“Yeah, I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think Khris threw the ball. I went up to get the ball. I really don’t want to get fined. I went up to get the ball. For some reason I wasn’t able to get the ball and wasn’t able to end the game.”

He fell one point shy of his first 30/20 game since January 4, 2023. From the fourth quarter onward, Antetokounmpo was held to just three buckets, however. He also had a rough night from the foul line, going 1-of-6. Antetokounmpo has struggled there since returning from a hamstring issue that sidelined him for two games.

Lillard posted his 34th game of the year with at least 25 points, although that number pales in comparison to his 44 games with 25-plus points last year.

Why Bet on New Orleans Pelicans?

“We were kind of stagnant and I definitely got to demand the ball more in those situations,” said Zion Williamson, who did not have a shot in the final three minutes. Zion finished with 29 points, 10 assists and five rebounds but also five turnovers. Williamson led all players with 26 true possessions but it’s troubling that Williamson did not score in the final six minutes.

Still, since March 1, Zion is ranked 1st in field goal percentage in the NBA, shooting 63.0% from the field (min. 10 FGA per game). He is second in the league in points in the paint per game this season, averaging 17.5 PITP in that span. Overall, he is one of three NBA players to average 22-plus points and shoot .570 or better from the field this season.

Center Jonas Valanciunas logged six points and six rebounds in just 10 minutes. Valanciunas did not play in the second half despite being healthy with coach Willie Green turning to Larry Nance and small-ball lineups with Williamson at center to combat Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City’s spacing-oriented offense. Valanciunas will likely be more incorporated Thursday against Milwaukee.

Forward Brandon Ingram remains out for New Orleans and excellent backup guard Jose Alvarado exited in the fourth quarter Tuesday with an apparent hip or back injury and didn’t return. He recorded eight points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 16 minutes. Over the course of the season, the Pelicans’ bench has been dominating their opponents.

Bet New Orleans to Win
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