Milwaukee (50-17) at New Orleans (30-39)
When: Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
Where: Smoothie King Center,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: FS Wisconsin,
FS New Orleans
Opening Odds: Milwaukee -9/237
The Milwaukee Bucks have hit a lull in an otherwise terrific season and will try and get back on track when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. The Bucks were cruising with a seven-game winning streak through March 1st, but have since dropped three of their last five including the last three away from home. Milwaukee mixed in a couple of easy home wins over Charlotte and Indiana, but one of their road slip-ups came at Phoenix on March 4th, and most recently in San Antonio (121-114). The lead over Toronto in the Eastern Conference is still 2.5 games for Milwaukee, who will play nine of their final 13 games after Friday at home. The Pelicans’ season has been over for a while now, and the team is trying to just stay competitive, knowing they won’t have their superstar Anthony Davis for 2019-20. New Orleans has dropped three straight including a 128-116 setback in Atlanta, while Davis is only playing about 20-22 minutes and resting altogether on some nights. The Pelicans look to avoid the two-game season sweep after losing 123-115 in Milwaukee on December 19th.
Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is doing his best to carry the Bucks during their recent struggles with 29.2 points on 58.1 percent shooting, 13.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists in the last five games. The Greek Freak is fifth in the NBA with 48 double-doubles after recording his sixth-straight in the loss at San Antonio. Six players scored in double-digits Sunday including reserve shooting guard Pat Connaughton, who scored 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting (4-for-4 from 3-point territory). Milwaukee will finish their three-game road trip in Miami on Friday.
New Orleans’ guards Jrue Holiday and E’Twuan Moore are still dealing with injuries, leaving the backcourt pretty thin right now. Former Duke alum Frank Jackson has stepped up in their absence and produced 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting and six rebounds on Sunday after recording 20 points in the previous game versus Toronto. Davis, despite playing just 21 minutes, still managed 15 points and eight boards, but it was point guard Elfrid Payton who shined with his first triple-double (15 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) since the season opener back in October. The Pelicans continue their three-game homestand against Portland on Friday.
It’s really hard for this New Orleans team to stay competitive with Davis playing half the game and two of their guards out with injuries. The Bucks haven’t been playing as well either, but have covered the spread in five of their last six after an ATS loss. Its not fun to lay big points on the road, but I’m willing to do it here.
Pick: Bucks -9.5
Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Tuesday games.
Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Bucks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Bucks are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 road games.
Bucks are 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Bucks are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bucks are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games overall.
Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pelicans are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central.
Pelicans are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Pelicans are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Pelicans are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss.
Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Over is 4-0 in Bucks last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 6-1 in Bucks last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 5-1 in Bucks last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 road games.
Over is 11-4 in Bucks last 15 vs. NBA Southwest.
Over is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Bucks last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-0-1 in Pelicans last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 4-0-1 in Pelicans last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Over is 4-0 in Pelicans last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 7-1 in Pelicans last 8 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pelicans last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pelicans last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pelicans last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pelicans last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 Tuesday games.
Over is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 vs. NBA Central.
Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans.
Bucks are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings in New Orleans.
Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Bucks are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
