Best NBA Betting Picks Today: Pelicans vs. Bucks Player Props & Predictions

Ever since returning from the COVID list, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a mission. It is almost as if the time he took off recharged him, as the Bucks All-Star forward is averaging over 32 PPG in his three games back. He is far from alone. Both Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton continue to be too difficult for opposing teams, as the Bucks are looking for their sixth straight win. Middleton is out tonight for personal reasons. The Pelicans have won five of their last six yet might be without both Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart – both game-time decisions with injury. New Orleans is already without Nickeil Alexander-Walker. With movement in and out of lineups especially for guys who are still game-time decisions — we have the 100% free tool OddsShopper to identify the best value for sides, totals, and player props!

Best NBA Betting Picks & Player Props Tonight | Pelicans vs. Bucks

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022
Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Fiserv Forum — Milwaukee, Wis.
Coverage: NBA TV

Pelicans vs. Bucks NBA Betting Picks & Odds Shopping

The easiest place to find the best bets in the NBA is on the one-stop shop for value and where to place a wager. The best part is the tool is free and easy to use. Simply filter, sort the page and find the best return available across all books.

Bucks -11.5 (-110, DraftKings)

This bet is pending the status of Ingram, and whether he plays depends on the side to play. There is no staying off the line, it is a matter of the impact Ingram can make in keeping it closer than 12 points. The Pelicans have seen plenty of bench work help their recent uptick in victories and should fit in nicely with Ingram back on the floor. Milwaukee has been cruising, but Ingram’s presence alone keeps this respectable. If Ingram is out, then pound Milwaukee as the blowout element is certainly in effect. Keep in mind that OddsShopper provides free projections from Awesemo. That is key in determining the best attack for player props, especially for guys who should expect a bump in usage.

Jrue Holiday Under 7.5 assists (-127, BetRivers)

This is the highest rated Bucks player prop on OddsShopper when sorting by xWin percentage. The xROI on this play is 30% combined with an expected win percentage of 71. Awesemo has Holiday projected for just over six assists. The projection is a little surprising as Holiday is averaging over assists per game over his last four games, but two of those games came against the Magic. While there may be concern Holiday will be dishing all over the place, the Bucks could easily be in the cruise control seat and Holiday’s minutes might only be in the high 20s. There is also the absence of Middleton, which could easily shift the focus for Holiday to scoring.

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Herbert Jones Under 10.5 points (-110, DraftKings)

Herbert Jones comes off a monster game against the Cavaliers, but there was no Ingram and no Hart. With the latter expected back in the lineup tonight, and even a possibility of Ingram on the floor, Jones is a fade. OddsShopper loves this prop with an xWin of 75% and the xROI of 38% Jones goes under. Awesemo has Jones projected just over 8 points, a direct reflection of expected regression. It is not just the return of better scoring options, but also the inconsistencies from Jones this month alone. In 12 games in December, Jones saw only half of those games where he hit double-digits.

Grayson Allen Over 9.5 points (-120, DraftKings)

The Bucks bench has looked sharp over their five-game win streak and Grayson Allen should be able to take advantage against the Pelicans. Without Middleton, there should be more minutes for Allen and a greater opportunity to score points. OddsShopper has this bet with a 68% xWin and 24% xROI based off Awesemo’s projection of 11.5 points. Allen has not been shooting the ball well over the past five games, but he is getting over 20 minutes in these games and taking shots. Without one of their top 3 scorers, Milwaukee will look to Allen a little more, plus he will be out there if the Bucks are running away with the game.

Jrue Holiday 3+ 3-pointers (+270, FanDuel)

The Pelicans are not going to lock down Holiday from driving to the basket, which in turn will open some looks from behind the arc. The Bucks will already be looking for more scoring from Holiday. He has turned into a shooter in this situation without one or two of his All-Star teammates. The best part about this play is the game flow does not really matter. Holiday is going to get plenty of opportunities to take some shots, and nobody else — including Giannis — is going to be more of necessity to score from outside.

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