The Milwaukee Bucks (32-17, 19-5 Home) play host to the New Orleans Pelicans (26-24, 9-15 Away) Sunday in what should be a low-scoring game. New Orleans is playing on back-to-back days after dropping their last game against the Washington Wizards 113-103 at Smoothie King Center yesterday, their seventh consecutive loss.
CJ McCollum led the way in defeat with 24 points. The Pelicans are fourth in the Western Conference. Milwaukee won their third in a row on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, beating the Indiana Pacers 141-131.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists to lead the team. The Bucks are 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting in third. The teams are meeting for the last time this season.
After taking the only earlier season matchup against New Orleans 128-119 at Smoothie King Center in December 2022, Milwaukee will be aiming for a season sweep.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 42 points and 10 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas had 37 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists in defeat. The Pels have been led this season by McCollum, who is averaging 21.3 points per game.
McCollum also has dished 5.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, Valanciunas is grabbing 9.8 rebounds.Antetokounmpo’s 31.3 points per game have powered the Bucks on offense. He ranks as the third-highest scorer in the league. Antetokounmpo also has posted 12.0 rebounds per game, second-most in the NBA.
Jrue Holiday has doled out 7.4 assists per game. The Bucks and the Pelicans are two of the best defenses in the league, ranking fourth and fifth in defensive efficiency, respectively. The Pelicans are winless in four games at Fiserv Forum.
New Orleans is looking to avoid a fourth successive road defeat this season. Milwaukee has won three in a row at home this season. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 2-5 when playing two days in a row this season and 2-4 in such games against rested opponents. The Bucks are 5-1 with a rest advantage.
New Orleans is 2-8 in the last 10 games with an average margin of -5.8 (107.2-113.0). For the season, the Pelicans are averaging 115.1 points per game, compared to 113.1 for opponents. Milwaukee has gone 7-3 over the last 10, scoring 118.4 points per game on average while holding opponents to 114.6 (+3.8 margin).
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points per game:
Naji Marshall: 6.5 | 10.3 | -3.8
BUCKS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Pat Connaughton: 22.4 | 14.5 | +7.9
Rebounds per game:
Brook Lopez: 4.0 | 6.2 | -2.2
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Milwaukee Bucks -9.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
