There arguably have never been two athletes in NBA history like the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP and favourite to repeat for that award, and the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. There’s a reason that Giannis is called the “Greek Freak” as he’s a 7-foot point guard essentially who can go the length of the court in three dribbles.
Zion, meanwhile, should not be close to as agile and explosive as he is for someone at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds. It’s a shame these two will only face off twice a year barring an NBA Finals matchup.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bucks trounced the visiting Pelicans 127-112 on Dec. 11 while Williamson was still recovering from knee surgery that delayed his season debut by around 13 weeks. That was Milwaukee’s 16th win in a row at the time and New Orleans’ 10th straight loss. Giannis got the night off with a right quad tendon injury (really it was rest). Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton both had 24 points to lead the Bucks. J.J. Redick had 31 points to lead the Pelicans, and Brandon Ingram 25 points and 10 rebounds.
New Orleans has covered four of the past six in the series.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks bounced back from a rare home loss Friday vs. Denver with a 129-108 rout of Phoenix on Sunday. Giannis had 30 points and 19 rebounds, while fellow All-Star Middleton had 25 points. It was the 73rd straight game the Bucks scored in triple digits. It also was the 12th time this season that the Freak had a 30/15 game, most in the NBA. The Bucks lead the league in scoring at 120.0 ppg. Believe it or not, Milwaukee’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is already down to eight. Backup point guard George Hill missed his second in a row with a strained right hamstring. The Bucks are 16-3 against Western Conference opponents.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans had a three-game winning streak end Sunday in a 117-109 loss in Houston. Ingram, named an All-Star for the first time, continued to shine with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Zion had 21 points and 10 rebounds. He’s the first rookie to score 20 or more points four times in his first six games since Damian Lillard in the 2012-13 season. Lonzo Ball was one assist shy of a triple-double. Google “Lonzo Zion” to see a spectacular alley-oop dunk between the two in that loss. New Orleans has been one of the best bets in the NBA for a while, covering 15 of its past 20.
Who Will Win Bucks vs. Pelicans?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
JJ Redick (SG)
Brandon Ingram (SF)
E'Twaun Moore (SG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Josh Hart (SG)
JJ Redick (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
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| George Hill (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
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| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Sat | Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies. |
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| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | Prob Thurs | Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
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| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
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| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 | 6-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday. |
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| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-9 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Hart is battling a sore right knee, but he is expected to play against the Magic on Thursday. |
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| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Out Thurs | Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Holiday missed the previous game with a right elbow contusion, and he will not be in Thursday's lineup versus the Magic. |
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| JJ Redick (SG) | day-to-day | Hamstring - 28 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Redick is sidelined due to a left hamstring strain. It is unknown if he will play when the league starts back up. |
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| Brandon Ingram (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 06 / 02 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Ingram departed the previous game due to a right ankle sprain, and his status for Saturday's contest against the Pacers is clouded. |
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| E'Twaun Moore (SG) | Prob Fri | Neck - 28 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Moore missed the last game due to neck spasms, but he is expected to face the Grizzlies on Friday. |
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| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 25 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Holiday is expected to play against the Celtics on Sunday despite left knee soreness. |
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| Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 23 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Hart is expected to play Friday versus the Nuggets despite left ankle soreness. |
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| JJ Redick (SG) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 23 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Redick is battling a left hamstring strain, but he is likely to suit up against the Nuggets on Friday. |
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| Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 21 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Hart has a sore left ankle, but it is projected that he will play Wednesday versus the Spurs. |
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| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Wed | Elbow - 21 / 01 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Holiday is anticipated to suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday despite a left elbow triceps strain. |
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
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Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20Brook Lopez (C)
Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Jrue Holiday (PG)
Out Thurs Knee - 10 / 08 / 20JJ Redick (SG)
day-to-day Hamstring - 28 / 02 / 20Brandon Ingram (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 06 / 02 / 20E'Twaun Moore (SG)
Prob Fri Neck - 28 / 01 / 20Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Sun Knee - 25 / 01 / 20Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 23 / 01 / 20JJ Redick (SG)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 23 / 01 / 20Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 21 / 01 / 20Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Wed Elbow - 21 / 01 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 3-3 4-3 + - Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-5 + - Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 6-9 9-7 + - Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 7-9 10-7 + - Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Josh Hart (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 0-2 0-2 + - Hart is battling a sore right knee, but he is expected to play against the Magic on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Out Thurs Knee - 10 / 08 / 20 0-2 0-2 + - Holiday missed the previous game with a right elbow contusion, and he will not be in Thursday's lineup versus the Magic.
JJ Redick (SG) day-to-day Hamstring - 28 / 02 / 20 - - + - Redick is sidelined due to a left hamstring strain. It is unknown if he will play when the league starts back up.
Brandon Ingram (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 06 / 02 / 20 - - + - Ingram departed the previous game due to a right ankle sprain, and his status for Saturday's contest against the Pacers is clouded.
E'Twaun Moore (SG) Prob Fri Neck - 28 / 01 / 20 - - + - Moore missed the last game due to neck spasms, but he is expected to face the Grizzlies on Friday.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Sun Knee - 25 / 01 / 20 - - + - Holiday is expected to play against the Celtics on Sunday despite left knee soreness.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Fri Ankle - 23 / 01 / 20 - - + - Hart is expected to play Friday versus the Nuggets despite left ankle soreness.
JJ Redick (SG) Prob Fri Hamstring - 23 / 01 / 20 - - + - Redick is battling a left hamstring strain, but he is likely to suit up against the Nuggets on Friday.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 21 / 01 / 20 - - + - Hart has a sore left ankle, but it is projected that he will play Wednesday versus the Spurs.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Wed Elbow - 21 / 01 / 20 - - + - Holiday is anticipated to suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday despite a left elbow triceps strain.