New Orleans Pelicans at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/19/2018

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 6.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans have a record of 15-16. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 1.6 as they average 116.7 points per game while giving up 115.1 per contest. The Bucks have an overall mark of 20-9. They currently are 1st in the Central Division. They total 117.6 points per contest and give up 108.8, which is a point differential of 8.8.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 14-17-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-15-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-13-0 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 15-13-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/17/18 F Julius Randle Ankle injured last game, is doubtful Wednesday vs Milwaukee
12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely
11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/17/18 F Ersan Ilyasova Nose is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans
12/17/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Hamstring is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 20.5 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 28.0 points per game in 37.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 12.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 17.6 points per game while playing 31.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.8 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 26.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 13.1 rebounds per contest and 6.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 116.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.7 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 47.4 rebounds per game and 27.2 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 14.9 per game. The Pelicans allow 115.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 25.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 1st in the league with 117.6 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 8.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 1st in the league in rebounding with 49.9 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 26.6. The Bucks are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Bucks surrender 108.8 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 24.4 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 44.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks were 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.7, and their defensive rating of 112.1 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. New Orleans is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 16th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Bucks are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 105.4, and their offensive rating of 114 is ranked 4th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 102.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +6.5

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