Milwaukee Bucks at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/13/2017

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. The opening line for this game has Milwaukee as 2 point favorites.

The Bucks head into this matchup with a mark of 15-10. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.1 as they are averaging 103.9 points per contest while giving up 103.8 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 14-14. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 110.7 points per contest and giving up 111.6, which is a point differential of -0.9.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 10-11-4 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 14-11-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 16-12-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-11-0 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/09/17 SG Tony Snell Knee is "?" Wednesday vs New Orleans
12/08/17 PG Matthew Dellavedova Knee is out indefinitely
11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Knee is out indefinitely
10/16/17 F Jabari Parker Knee is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 F Anthony Davis Groin is "?" Wednesday vs Milwaukee
12/11/17 PG Jameer Nelson Ankle is "?" Wednesday vs Milwaukee
12/11/17 F Dante Cunningham Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Milwaukee
12/11/17 G Tony Allen Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Milwaukee
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this game averaging 29.8 points per contest while playing 37.5 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is 77%. Khris Middleton averages 20.1 points per contest in 36.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.3 assists per game and 5.3 rebounds per contest for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins has scored 26.1 points per contest while playing 35.5 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 12.5 rebounds per contest and has 5.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Jrue Holiday averages 18 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.3 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 103.9 points per contest this year, which is 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.08 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 4th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 38.2 boards per contest and 22.2 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 30th with 13.5 per game. The Bucks allow 103.8 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 40% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 30th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they allow 21.4 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the NBA with 110.7 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is -0.96. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 6th in the league. They are 16th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.1 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.4. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per contest with 16.2. The Pelicans give up 111.6 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 23rd and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24 dimes allowed per game and 19th with 43.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 14th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 108.6, and their offensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 14th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Milwaukee is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 11th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 110.5, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 6th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Bucks/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald