Free NBA Picks Today: New Orleans Pelicans vs Milwaukee Bucks 12/19/22

Free NBA Picks Today: New Orleans Pelicans vs Milwaukee Bucks 12/19/22
Mon 19th December 2022

The Milwaukee Bucks (21-8, 7-5 Away) head to face the New Orleans Pelicans (18-11, 12-3 Home) Monday in a matchup that pits tremendous defense against sensational offense. Milwaukee outplayed the Utah Jazz 123-97 at Fiserv Forum on Saturday. With 22 points, Bobby Portis was the top scorer.

Jrue Holiday was another key contributor with 21 points and eight assists. The Bucks are trailing the Boston Celtics by 0.5 games in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting in second. New Orleans dropped their third in a row on Saturday at Footprint Center, falling to the Phoenix Suns 118-114.

Zion Williamson had 30 points and nine assists in the losing effort, leading the team. The Pelicans are one game back in the Western Conference, currently sitting in second.

It’s the first meeting of the season between the teams. Milwaukee and New Orleans split their matchups last season, winning one apiece. The Bucks took the last meeting 136-113 at Fiserv Forum on January 1.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a triple double, recording 35 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaxson Hayes had 23 points in defeat. Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.6 points per game, best in the league, to lead the Bucks in scoring this season.

Antetokounmpo also has grabbed 11.1 rebounds per game, most in the league. Meanwhile, Holiday is dishing 7.4 assists. Williamson’s 25.5 points per game have powered the Pels on offense. He has the No. 1 scoring average in the NBA.

Jonas Valanciunas is collecting 9.0 rebounds per game, most in the NBA, and CJ McCollum is doling out 5.7 assists (1st). The Bucks are the NBA’s second-best team in defensive efficiency, while the Pelicans rank fourth in offensive efficiency.

The Pelicans have found success in the Bucks’ last 10 trips to Smoothie King Center, winning seven. New Orleans has won seven straight at home this season.In the last 10 games, Milwaukee is 7-3 with an average margin of +2.9 (112.8-109.9).

New Orleans has also a 7-3 record over the last 10, scoring 117.3 points per game on average while holding opponents to 112.4 (+4.9 margin).

BUCKS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Brook Lopez: 14.2 | 21.1 | -6.9
Points per game:
Bobby Portis: 18.6 | 14.4 | +4.2
Brook Lopez: 8.0 | 14.0 | -6.0

PELICANS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Naji Marshall: 18.2 | 13.5 | +4.7
Trey Murphy III: 11.6 | 17.9 | -6.3
Points per game:
CJ McCollum: 23.2 | 18.2 | +5.0
Trey Murphy III: 6.4 | 12.2 | -5.8
Rebounds per game:
Larry Nance Jr.: 7.6 | 5.8 | +1.8
Assists per game:
Zion Williamson: 5.8 | 4.6 | +1.2

SportsTips’ NBA Pick:

Milwaukee Bucks (-105)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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