New Orleans Pelicans at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 2/25/2018

Sunday, February 25, 2018

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to BMO Harris Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, February 25, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 32-26. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.1 as they are averaging 111.5 points per game while giving up 111.4 per contest. The Bucks have an overall mark of 33-25. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They are averaging 104.9 points per contest and giving up 104.9, which is a point differential of 0.0.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 30-28-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 34-24-0 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 25-28-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 29-28-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is OUT 3-4 weeks
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 18.8 points per game in 36.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.6 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Anthony Davis comes into this contest averaging 27.7 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 10.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 20 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 4.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 27.8 points per game while playing 37.2 minutes per contest this year for the Bucks. He grabs 10.4 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 111.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.1 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they give up 24.3 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league. New Orleans averages 111.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.17 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.7 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks surrender 104.9 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 7th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season. Milwaukee is 17th in the league with 104.9 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.02. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 39.5 boards per game and 19th in assists per contest with 22.5. The Bucks are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 109.3, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 12th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 4th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA. New Orleans is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 14th in the league. The Bucks are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.2, and their defensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +5

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