The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup has an over/under of 225 points.
Bucks vs. Pelicans Odds
How to Bet on Bucks vs. Pelicans
Game Time and Information
Who Will Win Bucks vs. Pelicans?
Bucks and Pelicans Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread
The Bucks have a 25-31-1 record against the spread this season when favored by 2 points or more.
The Pelicans have a 12-7-1 record against the spread this season when an underdog by 2 points or more.
The two teams average a combined 11.3 more points per game (236.3) than this game’s total of 225 points.
Milwaukee and New Orleans have seen its opponents average a combined 2.5 more points per game than the point total of 225 set in this outing.
The average point total in Bucks games this year is 12.6 more points than the total of 225 in this matchup.
New Orleans’ games this year have averaged a total of 226.2 points, 1.2 more than the point total in this matchup.
Milwaukee has gone 32-39-1 ATS this season.
The Pelicans’ ATS record is 40-30-2 this year.
Bucks Stats & Insights
The Bucks outscore opponents by 3.6 points per game (scoring 120.6 points per game to rank third in the league while giving up 117 per contest to rank 22nd in the NBA) and have a +258 scoring differential overall.
The Bucks rank ninth in the league at 44.2 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 44.2 their opponents average.
Milwaukee hits 14.4 three-pointers per game (fourth-most in the league) while shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc (eighth-best in the NBA). It is making 1.7 more threes per contest than its opponents, who drain 12.7 per game while shooting 35.9%.
The Bucks’ 120.1 points per 100 possessions on offense rank fifth in the NBA, and the 116.5 points they allow per 100 possessions rank 14th in the league.
The Bucks’ offense has been much better at home (122.9 PPG) compared to road games (118.2 PPG). Likewise, their defense has been better at home (115.8 PPG allowed) compared to their play on the road (118.4 PPG allowed).
Pelicans Stats & Insights
The Pelicans have a +372 scoring differential, topping opponents by 5.2 points per game. They’re putting up 115.7 points per game, 13th in the league, and are allowing 110.5 per outing to rank eighth in the NBA.
The 44.4 rebounds per game New Orleans accumulates rank seventh in the league, 2.1 more than the 42.3 its opponents record.
The Pelicans knock down 1.1 fewer threes per game than the opposition, 12.3 (18th in the league) compared to their opponents’ 13.4.
The Pelicans rank 10th in the league averaging 118.7 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are fifth, allowing 113.4 points per 100 possessions.
At home, New Orleans scores 116.5 points per game. Away, it scores 115.
Bucks Key Players to Watch
The Bucks get 30.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Damian Lillard’s averages this season are 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
The Bucks get 3.1 three-pointers per game out of Lillard.
Antetokounmpo picks up 1.2 takeaways per game, while Brook Lopez collects 2.4 rejections per contest.
Pelicans Key Players to Watch
Zion Williamson takes the top spot on the Pelicans scoring and assist lists among active players, tallying 22.7 points and 5.1 assists per game.
Jonas Valanciunas’ per-game averages this season are 12.5 points, 2.1 assists and 9.1 rebounds.
CJ McCollum knocks down 3.4 threes per game.
Herbert Jones’ 1.3 steals and Valanciunas’ 0.9 blocks per game are key to the Pelicans’ defensive performance.
Bucks vs. Pelicans Prediction
Over (225)
Pelicans 119 – Bucks 113