MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS PREVIEW – MARCH 28, 2024 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Total Apex Sports. One of the games on tap from tonight’s slate features the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26 SU, 32-40 ATS) taking on the New Orleans Pelicans (44-28 SU, 39-31-2 ATS).
Here is a look at how both squads are performing coming into this matchup.
Tipoff
When: Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 8:00 PM ET
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: NBA TV
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans – Regular Season Stats & Trends
Can The Milwaukee Bucks Bounce Back After Another Disappointing Loss Against The Lakers?
Milwaukee Bucks Season Stats:
- Scoring Offense: 120.6 PPG – 3RD
- Offensive Efficiency: 119.4 points per 100 possessions – 5TH
- Scoring Defense: 117.0 PPG – 22ND
- Defensive Efficiency: 115.8 points per 100 possessions – 15TH
The Milwaukee Bucks have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and they have posted a 5-5 split across their last 10 decisions. This includes a 128-124 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
In that contest, three of the Bucks’ starting five scored 20-plus points. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 29 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists on 14-for-25 shooting from the field.
Damian Lillard added 27 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Malik Beasley nearly doubled his 11.6 PPG average with 21 points while handing out three assists.
The Milwaukee Bucks led by 16 points after the first quarter and by a 14-point margin heading into the final frame. But the Lakers’ offense and defense came to life, outscoring the home team by a 27-13 margin to send the game into overtime.
Antetokounmpo said, via ESPN:
We’ve got to watch this game, learn from this game. Watch why we weren’t able to get a stop. Watch why the ball wasn’t moving down the stretch. Watch why we lost the game. Watch why there was a lot of 50-50 balls, and we weren’t able to get them.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks pick themselves off the mat after a second disappointing loss to the Lakers in three weeks?
Pelicans Trending Upward At Just The Right Time
New Orleans Pelicans Season Stats:
- Scoring Offense: 115.7 PPG – 13TH
- Offensive Efficiency: 117.8 points per 100 possessions – 10TH
- Scoring Defense: 110.5 PPG – 8TH
- Defensive Efficiency: 112.5 points per 100 possessions – 6TH
On the other side of this Milwaukee Bucks matchup, the New Orleans Pelicans’ stock is trending upward. They have the fifth-best record out west and they trail the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers by just a half-game in the standings with 11 games left on their schedule.
Also, New Orleans has produced seven wins in their last 10 outings but saw its two-game winning streak end with a 119-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
The Pelicans placed four starters in double figures. Zion Williamson led the charge with a solid effort that included 29 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
C.J. McCollum added 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists but shot just 8-for-24 from the field. Trey Murphy III contributed 16 points and six assists while knocking down four of his six attempts from distance. They hope to make big contributions against the Milwaukee Bucks.
After overcoming a 20-point deficit, the Pelicans led 112-107 at the 3:11 mark in the fourth quarter. But their offense faltered down the stretch, as the team missed its last five shots.
Pelicans coach Willie Green said after the game:
(Oklahoma City) executed better than us the last 2 1/2 minutes of the game. Our guys battled. They know that sense of urgency has to be there from the start.
The New Orleans Pelicans will look to get back into the win column when they host the Milwaukee Bucks in the second contest of a six-game home stand.
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