Bucks vs. Pelicans Prediction, Odds and Best NBA Prop Bets for Wednesday, Jan. 22

UPDATE: The New Orleans Pelicans-Milwaukee Bucks matchup on Wednesday has been postponed due to a snowstorm in New Orleans.

NBA has postponed Bucks-Pelicans game tonight due to a snowstorm in New Orleans.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 22, 2025

Two teams on four-game winning streaks face off on Wednesday night, as the New Orleans Pelicans (they’ve won four in a row?!) host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

New Orleans’ season has been derailed by injuries, but it has played well as of late, knocking off Dallas, Chicago and Utah twice to move to 12-32 in the 2024-25 season.

Wednesday’s test with the Bucks will be a major step up in class, as Milwaukee currently holds the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and ranks fifth in the NBA in net rating over its last 10 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are favored by 5.5 points in this matchup, as the Pels have listed Zion Williamson as questionable and won’t have Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones in this matchup.

Here’s a breakdown of the odds, players to consider in the prop market and my prediction for Bucks vs. Pelicans.

Bucks vs. Pelicans Odds, Spread and Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Bucks -5.5 (-112)
Pelicans +5.5 (-108)

Moneyline

Bucks: -238
Pelicans: +195

Total

234.5 (Over -108/Under -112)

Bucks vs. Pelicans How to Watch

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 22
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Smoothie King Center
How to Watch (TV): Bally Sports (Local)
Bucks record: 24-17
Pelicans record: 12-32

Bucks vs. Pelicans Injury Reports

Bucks Injury Report

Giannis Antetokounmpo – probable
Khris Middleton – probable
MarJon Beauchamp – probable
AJ Green – out
AJ Johnson – out
Liam Robbins – out
Tyler Smith – out

Pelicans Injury Report

Brandon Ingram – out
Herb Jones – out
Keion Brooks Jr. – out
Yves Missi – questionable
Zion Williamson – questionable
Dejounte Murray – probable
Antonio Reeves – out

Bucks vs. Pelicans Best NBA Prop Bets

Milwaukee Bucks Best NBA Prop Bet

Khris Middleton OVER 16.5 Points and Assists (-120)

I love this prop for Khris Middleton, as the veteran has thrived off the bench as a playmaker for Milwaukee this season.

Middleton is averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 assists per game in the 2024-25 campaign, clearing 16.5 points and assists in four straight games and 10 of his last 14. Over that 14-game stretch (since right before Christmas), Middleton is averaging 14.2 points and 4.9 assists per game.

He should thrive against a Pelicans team that ranks 28th in defensive rating and 25th in opponent assists per game this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Best NBA Prop Bet

Zion Williamson UNDER 22.5 Points (-120)

Since returning from a hamstring injury, Williamson has appeared in four of the Pelicans’ last eight games, averaging just 25.6 minutes per game.

With this season likely over for New Orleans when it comes to making the playoffs, it makes sense that the Pels are trying to ease Williamson in. While he’s taking 16.3 shots per game, he’s only cleared 22.5 points once in this four-game stretch.

Now, he has a tough matchup in the paint with a Bucks team that allows the fifth-fewest points in the paint per game this season. Don’t be shocked if Williamson fails to clear this number, especially if his minutes remain in the mid-to-low 20s.

Bucks vs. Pelicans Prediction and Pick

The Pelicans may be on a four-game winning streak,but I’m not buying it as the team is turning things around this season.

The winning streak for the Pels has come against some suspect opponents, including the struggling Bulls (4-6 in their last 10), the Luka Doncic-less Mavs and a shorthanded Utah team. Not exactly something to write home about.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee is fifth in net rating over its last 10 games and just outside the top 10 (11th) in net rating for the season.

Giannis and the Bucks should get whatever they want at the rim tonight against a New Orleans team that is 29th in the league in opponent points in the paint per game this season.

While the Bucks are just 4-6 against the spread as road favorites, I think they should be favored by a few more points on Wednesday. I’ll lay the points with them tonight.

Pick: Bucks -5.5 (-112)

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.