Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 2/20/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans meet Friday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Magic and Thunder, and they play the Raptors next. The Bucks have won 5 of their last 6 games.

The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 111.8 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 115.2 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 17.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. Ryan Rollins is the third double-digit scorer, and Cam Thomas is grabbing 2 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.2 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Kings, lost to the Heat, and they play the 76ers next. The Pelicans have lost 19 of their last 26 games.

The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.6 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 120.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Jordan Poole is dishing 3.1 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Pelicans have won eight of their last nine games at Smoothie King Center against Central Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Bucks have lost 14 of their last 15 games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six games as home favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The underdogs have won five of the Bucks’ last six games.
• The Pelicans have lost seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Bucks have covered the spread in five of their last six games as underdogs.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight games as favorites following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Bucks’ last four games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Jeremiah Fears is one of only six players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
• Derik Queen is one of only seven players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.

Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts

• Kevin Porter Jr. ranks 9th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (87.3%) this season.
• Cameron Thomas ranks 16th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (85.5%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.6).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (14.6).
• The Bucks rank 30th for points in the paint (2308) this season.
• The Bucks rank 30th for second chance points (607) this season.

Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report

The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Micah Peavy, and Yves Missi. Trey Murphy is doubtful.

The Bucks will be without Taurean Prince, Myles Turner, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

The Pelicans aren’t favorites often, but they have covered 8 of their last 10 games in the role. I’m still grabbing the points with the Bucks. The Pelicans aren’t consistent enough to trust laying points. The Bucks also entered the break hot, winning 5 of their last 6 games. The Bucks also beat the Pelicans earlier this month in overtime as 5-point underdogs. If Cam Thomas continues the way he’s played lately, he can lead the Bucks to another upset win. I’ll grab the points with the Bucks.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Milwaukee Bucks +4.5