The Milwaukee Bucks are making a charge in the Eastern Conference, winning seven of their last 10 games, including three straight to pull within three games of the No. 1 seed.
The return of Khris Middleton has really bolstered Milwakee’s offense, and the team is favored heavily at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.
The Pelicans have lost seven straight games, and they could be without star Brandon Ingram in the second night of a back-to-back.
New Orleans has slipped to the No. 5 seed in the West, and with Zion Williamson (hamstring) out for this game, the team lacks the star power to keep up with a healthy Bucks team.
Let’s dive into the odds and a pick for this matchup:
Pelicans vs. Bucks odds, spread and total
Pelicans vs. Bucks prediction and pick
With Ingram’s status for this game up in the air, there’s no way I can back the Pelicans, even as double-digit underdogs.
The Bucks are great at home this season, going 19-5 straight up and 16-8 against the spread as home favorites.
On the other side, New Orleans has struggled on the road, going 5-9 ATS as a road dog, one of the worst marks in the NBA.
The Bucks are down Bobby Portis due to a knee injury, but as long as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Jrue Holiday are playing, they have a massive advantage over the Pels.
New Orleans has double-digit losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards over this seven-game skid.
Milwaukee is better than all of those teams, and it should roll on Sunday.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.