Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Bucks NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Bucks on Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pelicans Bucks matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(13-22) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks (24-13)
Date: Saturday, January 1st
Time: 6:30 PM (ET)
Venue: Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans | Bucks (Bet Now!) Moneyline is off as of posting
NBA Betting Odds: Bucks -11
NBA Betting Total: 219.5
Saturday, January 1st. the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks for the second and final time in the regular season. Milwaukee won the initial contest 116-112 on December 17th in overtime.
The Pelicans have been off since Tuesday when they defeated the Celtics 108-104 while the Bucks last played on Thursday in a 136-118 beatdown of the Magic.
Last season, the squads played twice with each team winning on their home court. The Pelicans hold the all-time record having bested the Bucks in 28 of their 42 matches.
New Orleans Pelicans
After a horrific 1-12 start to the season the Pelicans have discovered a bit of a better balance. Part of that is likely due to the players recognizing Zion isn’t returning any time soon. They enter this match boasting a 6-2 record through their last eight matches.
Whether consciously or subconsciously it seemed like they were waiting for Zion. Or perhaps they were hesitant to claim a primary scoring role expecting Williamson would take those shots once he was on the floor.
Instead, they can focus on meshing with the group they have and with that Brandon Ingram has been playing with more freedom. Although he missed the last game, in the seven prior games Ingram was averaging 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
Four Pelicans remain in various stages of the health and safety protocols with Nickeil Alexander-Walker probable, Naji Marshall and Jose Alvarado questionable while Jonas Valanciunas is out
Brandon Ingram (Achilles) and Josh Hart (ankle) are questionable. Zion Williamson (foot) is out indefinitely, Didi Louzada Silva continues to serve a 25 game suspension for PED and Kiri Lewis Jr. (ACL) is lost for the season.
Milwaukee Bucks
While most of the chatter about teams winning in the East has focused on the Nets and the resurgence of the Bulls the team that is quietly going about their business with very little fanfare or shine is the defending champion Bucks.
Milwaukee begins 2022 with close to complete health and meshing well on both sides of the court. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the MVP of his team and that is reflected by his team-high 27.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks plus ranking second for assists (5.8) and steals (1.1).
The Bucks have also progressively moved up the stats ladder to rank sixth offensively (111.4), eighth defensively (107.3), and possess the fifth-best net differential (plus +4.1).
Semi Ojeleye is questionable for Saturday as he deals with health and safety protocols. Brook Lopez (back) is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans’ last 6 games.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Prediction
The Bucks have closed the gap at the top of the East a half-game back of the Bulls and a game back of the Nets while the Pelicans recent uptick in winning has them within two games of a play-in berth.
The length of both teams and rebounding will play a factor in this contest. The biggest change is on the defensive end of the hardwood for New Orleans who rank 24th defensively for the season but sixth in that area over their last eight matches.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pelicans +11
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