The Milwaukee Bucks (23-30) and New Orleans Pelicans (15-41) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will broadcast live on FDSWI.
The Pelicans are 4-point favorites over the Bucks on the spread (Pelicans -4), with the over/under set at 223 total points. New Orleans is a -170 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Milwaukee is +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bucks vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 20.
Bucks vs Pelicans Prediction
- Bucks vs Pelicans picks: Pelicans -4 (-110), Over 223 (-110)
My Bucks vs Pelicans best bets are on New Orleans to cover the spread and the Over at 223 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bucks vs Pelicans Odds
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 223 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 223 -110o / -110u | -170 |
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Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Preview
The Bucks are trying to save their franchise from obliteration in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are just trying to get by, man.
The Pelicans have actually covered in six of their last 10 games and own an ATS record of 16-12-1 at home this season — good for the third-best mark in the league. They are also 5-1 as home favorites this season.
The Bucks are still without Antetokounmpo, and while they won and covered in five-of-six going into the break, I don’t like the spot for Milwaukee here.
The Pelicans do have talent on their roster, and without their own pick, they have no real reason to lose.
The Bucks are good at shooting, but they lose in all the margin areas.
The Pelicans are pretty good in most of the margin areas (top 12 in turnover rate, offensive rebounds, and foul rate) but can’t shoot (28th).
So, it’s an interesting matchup.
The Pelicans are actually pretty good at defending primary actions like pick-and-roll and isolation, but they struggle to contain shooters, which will be a problem vs. the Bucks.
However, the Pelicans do attack the rim, and the Bucks struggle with defending it.
Bucks vs Pelicans Predictions, Betting Analysis
Pelicans -4
The Pelicans are 14-8 ATS this season when Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson both play, and neither is on the injury report tonight.
I make the spread for this game more than Pelicans -4.
This is a good spot to back New Orleans as a home favorite.
Over 223
I lean toward the Over as well, as I make the total for this matchup 229.
The Bucks’ average total without Giannis is two points higher than this mark, and New Orleans is likely to score easier than usual tonight.
This feels like a faster-paced shootout.
Bucks vs Pelicans Best Bets
- Pelicans -4 (-110)
- Over 223 (-110)
Spread
My Pelicans vs. Bucks betting prediction is on New Orleans to cover the spread at -4.
Moneyline
I'm steering clear of the moneyline market in tonight's matchup.
Over/Under
I also lean toward the Over at 223 total points in this spot.
Pelicans vs Bucks Betting Trends
