Andrew Wilsher
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We’ve got an action-packed 10-game NBA slate to get excited for tonight, with the first game of an ESPN doubleheader pitting the Milwaukee Bucks against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Bucks have been on a serious roll lately with nine wins in their last 12, while it has been the total opposite for the Pelicans — they have lost eight of their last 10.
Given Milwaukee’s red-hot scoring power this should be a fun matchup, and we’ve come up with a same game parlay to further enhance the excitement. Be sure to also check out our full preview of this game, which features picks on the side and total, as well as the other nine games scheduled to take place tonight.
Milwaukee Bucks -7 (-110)
Over 228.5 points (-110)
Jrue Holiday over 4.5 rebounds (+110)
Brandon Ingram over 22.5 points (-112)
Parlay odds: +1289
This same game parlay features a number of correlating picks and returns very nice odds at just under 13/1 with FanDuel Sportsbook. I expect the Bucks to prove their superiority in this one, and with both teams boasting solid offenses it could easily turn into a shootout. By adding that in with a slightly contradictory pick on Brandon Ingram scoring at least 23 points, we see a nice odds boost. Let’s break each of them down.
Milwaukee Bucks -7 (-110)
As mentioned, Milwaukee has been firing on all cylinders lately and look destined to be in the mix at the top of the Eastern Conference once again. Giannis Antetokounmpo is once again lighting it up with big numbers in the points and rebounds department. The Bucks boast the best offensive efficiency in the NBA, and crucially eight of their last nine wins have been by at least seven points. With this being a nationally televised game, I expect them to be motivated to make a statement and put the rest of the league on notice. They have the perfect opportunity to do that against a Pelicans team who have lost eight of their last 10, and just last Sunday suffered an embarrassing loss to Minnesota.
Over 228.5 points (-110)
Although this is a relatively high total, I think you still have to lean towards it going over. Simply put, New Orleans has been terrible on defense. They rank 24th in the league in defensive efficiency, but most alarming of all they have allowed an average of 116.4 points in their last nine games. When you bear in mind that that includes teams like Minnesota, Sacramento, and Charlotte — hardly known for their scoring ability — then it’s hard to see how Milwaukee doesn’t drop a ton of points on them. However, the Pelicans do still have Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to get things done offensively for them, and it’s not like Milwaukee’s defense has been particularly rigid. There will be a wealth of talent on show in this game and it has all the makings of a shootout.
Our ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #NBA bet (Bucks -6.5) is off to a great start thanks to FREAKY plays like this 👇
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) January 16, 2021
Jrue Holiday over 4.5 rebounds (+110)
This prop looks great value at plus-money. Jrue Holiday has had at least five rebounds in each of his last three games and secured seven against Toronto last time. While the Pelicans have been particularly effective at protecting the rim, ranking second in opponents’ total rebounds per game this season, Holiday has proven a hindrance for most teams, and given the expected fast pace he should have plenty of opportunities to grab the ball in this one.
Brandon Ingram over 22.5 points (-112)
The addition of this play to the same game parlay gives the odds a decent boost, when I think it correlates quite nicely. In order for the over to cash we need the Pelicans to be scoring points, and that burden will likely fall on Williamson and Ingram. The latter is averaging 23.9 points per game this season, and has reached the 22-point mark in five of his last seven. The Bucks are currently given up 110.8 points per game — 17th in the league — and I expect them to have trouble covering both of New Orleans’ sharpshooters. Ingram has been lethal from downtown lately, and last time sunk seven of 12 attempts. He should be more than capable of topping this line.
Pickswise is the home of free NBA picks and predictions. Make sure to also check out our ‘NBA parlays‘ and ‘NBA prop bets‘ tabs for more expert picks.
