Milwaukee Bucks at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
29 January 2021
If you are a fan of high-scoring NBA games, then the matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks () and the New Orleans Pelicans () on Friday night is for you. Both of these teams look to win games with their offenses, and this game will be played at a fast pace. Milwaukee comes into this game with a record of 11-6, and things have not gone as smoothly for the Bucks as in recent seasons. The Bucks still sit atop the Central Division standings, but they have plenty of challengers in the Eastern Conference. New Orleans is just 6-10 so far on the young season, and it looks like it will be another long year. There are plenty of interesting pieces on this Pelicans roster, but the team has not been able to put things together consistently. Milwaukee Bucks are seven-point road favorites over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Bucks Back to Scoring Points
The Bucks are once again the highest-scoring team in the NBA, coming into this game averaging 119.8 points per game. Milwaukee plays extremely fast, but it also helps that it has the two-time MVP on their side.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and continues to be hard to stop around the rim. The “Greek Freak” is still trying to improve his scoring from the outside, but he knows how to find ways to score.
Milwaukee is allowing over 110 points per game, but that is mostly due to the pace at which it plays. This team is able to lock in and get defensive stops when it needs to, but the defense has struggled at times on the road.
Pelicans Must Get Stops
The Pelicans () are giving up over 111 points per game, and that simply puts too much pressure on the team on the offensive end. New Orleans has struggled on the defensive end over the last few seasons, and it has been hard for these young players to buy-in.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are both averaging 23.9 points per game for the Pelicans, and either player can take over a game. These two players will be the faces of the franchise moving forward, but it is up to New Orleans to surround them with more talent.
Three-point shooting has also been an issue for this team as they are making just 33 percent of their shots from deep. New Orleans will have to shoot it well to keep this game close.
Pelicans Knock Off Bucks
The Bucks () are clearly the better team in this matchup, but they have struggled to win games on the road. Milwaukee will play extremely fast, but that plays into the hands of New Orleans.
The Pelicans do have a ton of talent, and that will allow them to stay in this game to the end. Look for New Orleans to play one of their best games of the season on Friday night and stun the Bucks.
Take New Orleans over Milwaukee in this NBA showdown.
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