Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks, currently holding a record of 23 wins and 30 losses, sit in 12th place within the Eastern Conference standings. They are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans, who are at the bottom of the Western Conference with a record of 15 wins and 41 losses. This matchup is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. EST in New Orleans, with the Pelicans favored by 3.5 points according to the BetMGM Sportsbook; the game’s over/under is set at 225.5 points.
Previous Encounter
In their previous encounter earlier this season, the Bucks triumphed in a thrilling overtime battle, edging out the Pelicans with a score of 141-137 on February 5, during which Ryan Rollins shone with 27 points. This will mark the second meeting between these two teams in the current season.
Team Performance
Home games have been challenging for the Pelicans, who have only posted a 9-20 home record and 6-18 in matches settled by ten points or more. Conversely, the Bucks have struggled slightly on the road with an 11-18 record, yet still maintain a notable average of 32.5 defensive rebounds per game, largely attributed to the efforts of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who leads the team with an impressive average of 7.2 rebounds per game.
Statistically, this season the Pelicans have managed a shooting performance of 46.2% from the field, just shy of the 46.4% that the Bucks permit their opponents to achieve. On the other hand, Milwaukee exhibits superior shooting efficiency, hitting 48.1% overall, while their rivals, the Pelicans, have allowed 47.8% shooting from opponents.
Key Players
Key contributors for the Pelicans include Trey Murphy III, who is showcasing an impressive average of 22.1 points, complemented by 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Saddiq Bey has been another crucial player, accumulating 21.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his last ten appearances. For the Bucks, Ryan Rollins brings in an average of 16.9 points alongside 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals, while AJ Green has been consistent with an average of 2.9 successful three-point shots in the past ten games.
Recent Performance
In their last ten games, both teams have demonstrated parity with a 5-5 record. The Pelicans average 114.2 points, 44.5 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 8.4 steals, and 5.6 blocks per game, shooting 45.1% from the floor, while their opponents average 113.1 points. The Bucks, matching their record, score an average of 110.2 points, grab 44.7 rebounds, distribute 25.4 assists, and have 5.8 steals along with 4.6 blocks, boasting a 47.0% field goal efficiency compared to 112.7 points from opposing teams.
Injury Updates
In terms of team health, the Pelicans face a few day-to-day injury concerns, including Yves Missi (calf), Trey Murphy III (shoulder), and Micah Peavy (toe), while Dejounte Murray remains sidelined due to an achilles issue. The Bucks also have injury concerns with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Myles Turner (calf) listed as day-to-day, and Taurean Prince is ruled out with a neck injury. Ryan Rollins is also dealing with a foot problem and is considered day-to-day.
Conclusion
As the teams gear up for this anticipated matchup, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these key performances and injury statuses unfold on the court.
