Pelicans and Zion Will Measure Themselves Against Bucks
The fans at Smoothie King Center will see the Milwaukee Bucks and the New Orleans on Tuesday. Zion Williamson is on the court and healthy for the Pelicans. Williamson will try to increase his activity and build up his game stamina as the weeks go on.
TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: TNT, TSN 1/4; LINE: Bucks -6.5; O/U: 245
Williamson is averaging 19.5 points per game on 61.5% shooting in his first six games since his debut. He posted 21 points and 10 rebounds on Sunday but went nearly four minutes in the fourth quarter without touching the ball. Head Coach Alvin Gentry was not happy. “You gotta throw him the damn basketball,” Gentry told reporters after the 117-109 setback at Houston. “I mean it has nothing to do with playing together, figuring it out. He’s got an advantage and we gotta find a way to get him the basketball down there. So, I’m not buying the playing together or figuring out anything like that. We have to have him have touches in the fourth quarter.”
The Bucks will present a different challenge for Williamson. He will likely spend some time chasing reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on the defensive end. Antetokounmpo racked up 30 points, 19 rebounds and 9 assists in Saturday’s game. Milwaukee bounced back from a rare loss and whizzed right on past the Phoenix Suns 129-108. It was the Bucks’ 10th win in their last 11 games.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
In their last action, Milwaukee was a 129-108 winner at home against the Suns. They covered the -12.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (237) was profitable news for OVER bettors.
The Bucks are 42-7 on the season as we approach the All-Star Break. Milwaukee got a strong effort on Saturday from center Brook Lopez. He scored 17 points and had nine blocked shots. It was welcome after he scored in single digits and totaled three blocks in his previous two outings. Khris Middleton had 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting and Eric Bledsoe rang up 12 points by going 5-of-8 from the floor. The Bucks coaches have an issue; finding places for all the talent on the roster to thrive.
“It’s a delicate balance,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. “We try to play with a lot of pace and play with a lot of spacing. Between Brook and Khris and Giannis, try to get them in the post. Get Bled in the pick-and-roll game. Hopefully we can continue to nurture that, and (Lopez) can be a threat that way.”
The Pelicans are 20-30 on the NBA season. New Orleans All-Star small forward Brandon Ingram had 28 points and 12 rebounds on Sunday. The issue was he went scoreless in the fourth quarter and acknowledged some of the team’s issues integrating Williamson. “That’s something that we’re figuring out,” Ingram told reporters. “Some of that has to come from the coaches and the execution of putting him in the right positions to score the basketball on the block or wherever he wants the basketball, keeping that rhythm the same as we go through the first to the fourth quarter.”
Williamson, Ingram, Lonzo Ball (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Josh Hart (16 and 10) all recorded double-doubles in the loss. The Pelicans dominated the glass 63-43. J.J. Redick went scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting on Sunday, snapping a streak of 12 straight games scoring in double figures.
Check Out Everything GTBets has to Offer by reading our review.
The Dart Throw: Milwaukee 124, Pelicans 112
NBA on TNT Trends
New Orleans Pelicans
- Trend Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5. Hit % 100.00% (4) O/U 4|0 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 games as an underdog of 11.0 or greater. 100.00% (4) 4|0 0
- Over is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 games as a favorite of 11.0 or greater. 83.30% (6) 5|1 0
- Under is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5. 71.40% (7) 2|5 0
Milwaukee Bucks
- Trend Over is 4-0-1 in Bucks last 5 games as an underdog of 11.0 or greater. Hit % 100.00% (5) O/U 4|0 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 games as a favorite of 11.0 or greater. 71.40% (7) 5|1 0
- Over is 4-0-1 in Bucks last 5 games as a road underdog of 11.0 or greater. 100.00% (5) 4|0 1
- Under is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 games as a road favorite of 11.0 or greater. 80.00% (5) 1|4 0
Bucks vs Pelicans H2H Meetings Trends
- Trend Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in New Orleans. Hit % 100.00% (4) O/U 4|0 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings. 72.40% (29) 21|8 0
Stats Brought to You By: Scores & Stats
Next up:
Milwaukee home to Philadelphia Thursday, February 6
New Orleans at Chicago Thursday, February 6
GTBets is home to 100% Cash Bonus, Free 1/2 Points in Football & Basketball. Don’t Miss the Free Payouts Either!!!