The Milwaukee Bucks (23-30) and New Orleans Pelicans (15-41) will meet in the NBA on Friday night. Tipoff from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana is set for 8:00 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on FDSWI.
The Pelicans are 4.5-point favorites over the Bucks on the spread (Pelicans -4.5), with the over/under set at 223.5 total points. New Orleans is a -180 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Milwaukee is +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bucks vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 20.
Bucks vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks
- Bucks vs Pelicans picks: Pelicans -4.5 (-105), Over 223.5 (-110)
My Pelicans vs. Bucks best bets are on New Orleans to cover the spread and the Over at 223.5 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Friday Odds
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -115 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | +150 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -105 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | -180 |
If you want to trade on Bucks vs. Pelicans at Kalshi, sign up using our Kalshi promo code. This prediction market app is legal in most states and offers a variety of unique markets beyond the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA Preview
The Bucks are trying to save their franchise from obliteration in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are just trying to get by, man.
The Pelicans have actually covered in six of their last 10 games and own an ATS record of 16-12-1 at home this season — good for the third-best mark in the league. They are also 5-1 as home favorites this season.
The Bucks are still without Antetokounmpo, and while they won and covered in five-of-six going into the break, I don’t like the spot for Milwaukee here.
The Pelicans do have talent on their roster, and without their own pick, they have no real reason to lose.
The Bucks are good at shooting, but they lose in all the margin areas.
The Pelicans are pretty good in most of the margin areas (top 12 in turnover rate, offensive rebounds, and foul rate) but can’t shoot (28th).
So, it’s an interesting matchup.
The Pelicans are actually pretty good at defending primary actions like pick-and-roll and isolation, but they struggle to contain shooters, which will be a problem vs. the Bucks.
However, the Pelicans do attack the rim, and the Bucks struggle with defending it.
Bucks vs Pelicans Betting Predictions
Spread: Pelicans -4.5
The Pelicans are 14-8 ATS this season when Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson both play, and neither is on the injury report tonight.
I make the spread for this game wider than Pelicans -4.5.
This is a good spot to back New Orleans as a home favorite.
Total: Over 223.5
I lean toward the Over as well, as I make the total for this matchup 229.
The Bucks’ average total without Giannis is two points higher than this mark, and New Orleans is likely to score easier than usual tonight.
This feels like a faster-paced shootout.
Bucks vs Pelicans Best Bets
- Pelicans -4.5 (-105)
- Over 223.5 (-110)
Bucks vs Pelicans Betting Trends
For the latest on NBA injuries, be sure to check out our NBA Injury Report page.
