Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Prediction, Odds & Best Bets (3/28): It’s Giannis’ World

Today’s Bucks vs Pelicans prediction and NBA best bets are brought to you by Bovada. Bovada is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA to the UFC and everything in between.

With the MLB’s Opening Day taking place on Thursday, it’s a light night around the NBA with only two games scheduled. The second of the pair takes place on NBA TV when the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) at 8 p.m. ET.

Wheels up to NOLA. @MichelobULTRA x #UltraDrip pic.twitter.com/Ql5MxfbACz

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 27, 2024

Both teams could use a win after suffering losses on Tuesday. The Bucks came up short in a 128-124 overtime loss to the Lakers on the road while the Pelicans fell 119-112 to the Oklahoma City Thunder under the Smoothie King Center lights.

With the 2023-24 playoffs right around the corner, Bovada is giving Milwaukee the fourth-best odds (+800) to win this year’s NBA Finals whereas New Orleans sits in a tie for 15th at +9000 odds.

Will either side’s championship odds improve with a win this evening? Let’s dive into my Bucks vs. Pelicans NBA prediction and best bets to find out.

Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Betting Tonight (3/28)

Bucks vs Pelicans Matchup Information

• Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks (46-26, 17-18 Away) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (44-28, 20-14 Home)
• Venue & Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
• Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024
• Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bucks vs. Pelicans: NBA TV, Bally Sports New Orleans, WMLW The M

Pelicans vs Bucks NBA Odds & Spread

Pelicans vs. Bucks odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Thursday, March 28 at 11:37 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Bucks vs Pelicans Spread

• Milwaukee Bucks -1 (-105)
• New Orleans Pelicans +1 (-115)

Pelicans vs Bucks Over/Under

• Over 224.5 Points (-110)
• Under 224.5 Points (-110)

Bucks vs Pelicans Moneyline

• Milwaukee Bucks (-115)
• New Orleans Pelicans (-105)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 season game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
• NBA news, futures betting, and best bets predictions
• How to bet on the NBA
• 2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction & Dark Horse Pick
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

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Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Betting Trends

• Milwaukee is 5-1 straight up in its last six games vs. New Orleans.
• New Orleans is 7-2 straight up in its last nine games vs. the Eastern Conference.
• Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last six games in March.
• New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in its last five games vs. Milwaukee.
• The total hit the Over in seven of Milwaukee’s last eight road games vs. New Orleans.
• The total hit the Under in five of New Orleans’ last seven home games.

Bucks vs Pelicans Prediction & NBA Picks Today (3/28): Can New Orleans Finally Beat Milwaukee?

It’s the second and last 2023-24 meeting between these teams following a lopsided clash two months ago. The Bucks picked up a 141-117 win over the Pelicans at Fiserv Forum on Jan. 27 as four Milwaukee players scored 20-plus points, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the way with a 30-point, 12-rebound double-double with 68.8% shooting.

The loss wasn’t anything new for the Pelicans, who are now 1-5 SU in their last six meetings with the Bucks. New Orleans hasn’t even defeated Milwaukee since Dec. 17, 2021, losing the last four matchups by an average of 17.8 points. What’s even worse is that three of those losses came by at least 23 points (or eight possessions).

One of the major reasons why the Pelicans lost in January was their inability to defend the Bucks on the perimeter, allowing them to go 20-for-45 (44.4%) from the three-point line.

Even though New Orleans allows the lowest opponent three-point percentage in the NBA, it still allows the sixth-most baskets from deep.

Can the Pelicans stop the Bucks from finding more success at the three-point line tonight? 

But even though the Bucks have had their number, the Pelicans do have some things going for them tonight.

For starters, Milwaukee’s roster is somewhat banged up at the moment. Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring), MarJon Beauchamp (back), and Khris Middleton (ankle) are probable to play, however, it’s clear they aren’t 100%. Furthermore, Patrick Beverley is questionable to play due to a wrist injury.

Meanwhile, New Orleans will be without Dyson Daniels (knee) and Brandon Ingram (knee) while Jose Alvarado (hip) will be a game-time decision.

There’s also the fact that the Bucks have lost four of their last five road games whereas the Pelicans tallied three wins in four home games before losing to the Thunder.

Another thing is that Milwaukee is inconsistent as the road favorite, going 12-14 ATS (46.2%) in the role. For comparison, New Orleans is 5-4 ATS (55.6%) as the home underdog.

Will the Pelicans pull off the upset at home tonight? 

In a game projected to go either way, I’m taking the Pelicans to win. The Bucks haven’t been anything special on the road and consistently fail to cover the spread as away favorites. New Orleans has played well at Smoothie King Center all season and is even 4-1 ATS in its last four home games on a Thursday.

With that being said, the Over on the 224.5-point total is the way to go. On top of the Over being 4-1 in Milwaukee’s last five games, it’s also 7-0 across the last seven Bucks-Pelicans showdowns. They combined for more than 224.5 points in each of those meetings, including a whopping 258 in January.

I’d say it’s best to brace for a lot of offense tonight.

Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Prediction: NOP wins

Best Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Bet: 224.5 Total Points (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Bucks vs Pelicans NBA picks today at Bovada

Best Bucks vs Pelicans NBA Prop Bet (3/28)

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and Giannis Antetokounmpo destroying the Pelicans. That’s why I’m taking him to record over 29.5 points for the best player prop tonight.

The “Greek Freak” likely salivates whenever he sees New Orleans on the schedule. Antetokounmpo is averaging a monstrous 38.1 points on .649/.480/.724 splits in his last seven meetings with the Pelicans, finishing with the Over every single time. In fact, he dropped 42 points on his last trip to the Big Easy on Dec. 19, 2022.

Having also recorded 30-plus points in five of his last seven games this season, take Antetokounmpo to have another big night.

Best Bucks vs Pelicans Prop Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo o29.5 Points (-125)

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