Ricky Dimon
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A six-game NBA slate on Thursday is headlined by a double-header on TNT. It begins with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Dallas Mavericks prior to this showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Bucks-Pelicans, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Bucks -9 (-110)
Giannis Antetokounmpo to record 8+ assists (+128)
Khris Middleton Over 2.5 three-pointers made (-115)
Brandon Ingram Over 24.5 points (-112)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here. We feel good about Milwaukee’s chances to dominate Thursday’s matchup, and keeping productive performances by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton would obviously go a long way in that effort. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That’s the case with an over play on Brandon Ingram’s points, but even if Ingram does score his fair share there is no reason why the Bucks can’t be successful.
Bucks -9 (-110)
It is true that these two teams met in New Orleans on Jan. 29 and the Pelicans prevailed 131-126. However, Milwaukee was just going through the motions a month ago and looks like a much different team now—you know, one that actually seems to care about the regular season. Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game this month and Middleton has been an outstanding compliment despite being snubbed of an all-star spot. New Orleans has lost five of its last eight games, with four of those losses coming by double-digits.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to record 8+ assists (+128)
With Jrue Holiday (5.4 apg) sidelined because of Covid-19 protocols, Antetokounmpo has been picking up the slack in the assists department. The Greek Freak has dished out at least eight dimes in five of the last six games. He should be able to record at least that many against a New Orleans team that gives up the sixth-most points in the NBA and is watching opponents assist on 67.4 percent of their baskets—the third-highest rate in the association.
Khris Middleton Over 2.5 three-pointers made (-115)
The Pelicans are also hopeless at defending the perimeter. They are dead last in the league in three-pointers allowed (16.0 per contest) and opponents are sinking 39.3 percent of their attempts from the land of plenty (third-best percentage in the league). Middleton should be able to take advantage. He has drained three triples in each of the past two games (6-for-11 during this stretch)
Brandon Ingram Over 24.5 points (-112)
This has the makings of an Ingram kind of game as opposed to a Zion Williamson kind of game. Not unlike New Orleans, Milwaukee is far better at defending the paint than it is at guarding the perimeter. That will be true to an even greater extent with Holiday sidelined. Ingram has scored at least 25 points in three straight outings (including 33 against Boston) and he is 8-for-18 from three-point range over the past two. The Bucks surrender the fourth-most threes in the NBA and they are seventh-worst in terms of opponents’ three-point percentage. In the previous head-to-head matchup, Ingram scored 28 points on just 15 field-goal attempts.
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