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The Milwaukee Bucks will play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday in an inter-conference matchup. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Bucks-Pelicans prediction and pick.
The Bucks and Pelicans will battle on Friday as Milwaukee continues to be plagued by a Covid outbreak. Among notable absences for the Bucks is star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo. New Orleans of course continues to be without star forward Zion Williamson this season as he tries to get back from a foot injury. The Pelicans have struggled this season in his absence and have already dug themselves a hole in the Western Conference standings. The Bucks come into this matchup as slight road favorites despite being without their two-time MVP. Las Vegas is still favoring the defending champions despite them being severely shorthanded in this one.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Bucks-Pelicans odds for this Friday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Pelicans Odds
Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-112)
New Orleans Pelicans +1.5 (-108)
Over 218.5 (-110)
Under 218.5 (-110)
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Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Bucks have been tasked with playing shorthanded more often than not so far this season. They will have to do so again on Friday night in New Orleans. In addition to Antetokounmpo being out, Donte DiVincenzo, Bobby Portis Jr., Brook Lopez, Wesley Matthews, Semi Ojeleye and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are also out. Khris Middleton is probable, and the Bucks will need him as he and Jrue Holiday will look to carry the load in this one. Milwaukee is 9-7 on the road so far this season and 13-17 against the spread.
The Bucks are 7-4 this season as road favorites, which is what they are set to be on Friday night barring a line change. Milwaukee is 4-6 vs. the spread over their last 10 games. The absence of Antetokounmpo is big, but the Bucks should still be able to win and cover as long as Holiday and Middleton suit up in this one.
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
In addition to Zion Williamson being out, Kira Lewis Jr. is also sidelined with injury right now for the Pelicans. Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas lead the charge for the Pelicans in their absence, and New Orleans has been better of late after a rough start to the season. The Pelicans are just 4-9 at home this season and will look to improve on that Friday vs. a shorthanded Bucks group. The Pelicans are 7-6 vs. the spread at home this season and 6-5 as a home underdog. New Orleans has covered just once in their last five games overall and is 12-18 vs. the spread for the season.
Final Bucks-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
Take the Bucks to win and cover in New Orleans on Friday night. They are still a better team than the Pelicans despite all of the guys they will have out in this one. Holiday, Middleton, George Hill, Grayson Allen and Jordan Nwora will all look to pick up the slack as the Bucks try to steady the ship in the absence of some key contributors. Milwaukee should be able to find a way to pull this one out vs. Pelicans team that often finds ways to lose on its own. The Bucks will have to dig a bit deeper into their bench in this one but they should be able to take care of business.
Final Bucks-Pelicans prediction & pick: Bucks -1.5 (-112)
