The Milwaukee Bucks (21-3) shoot for a 16th straight win Wednesday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (6-18) at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is set for shortly after 9:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pelicans-Bucks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Pelicans at Bucks: Key injuries
Pelicans
- PF Derrick Favors (personal) questionable
- PF Zion Williamson (knee) out
Bucks
- PF Dragan Bender (ankle) out
Pelicans at Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 136, Pelicans 108
Moneyline (ML)
The Bucks (-1250) are coming off a 110-101 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday. The Eastern Conference leaders are 11-1 at home for the season and outscore the opposition by a league-high 13.3 points per game in all locales. The Pelicans are on a nine-game losing streak and are 2-9 on the road for the season. They’re outscored by an average of 6.7 PPG.
The Bucks win this easily, but make it a more exciting and more profitable wager by playing the spread. A $10 bet for the simple outright victory returns a profit of just $0.80.
Against the Spread (ATS)
The BUCKS (-12.5, -115) is the largest spread on Wednesday’s slate. Milwaukee is 12-12 ATS overall and 6-6 on home court. New Orleans is 9-15 ATS overall and 3-8 on the road. Seven of Milwaukee’s last 15 wins were by margins of at least 13 points and three of New Orleans’ last nine losses were by at least 13 points.
These teams aren’t in the same class, and the Bucks have the home-court advantage to boot.
Over/Under (O/U)
Both teams have hit the Over just 11 times through 24 games, but the Bucks top the projections by an average of 1.7 points per game and the Pelicans top the number by 0.9 PPG. The two teams combine to score 233.3 PPG and allow 226.7. The line will be tight, but take the OVER 235.5 (-110). The Pelicans allowed at least 130 points three times during their losing streak.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 74-63
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