Game Day: The Pelicans are in Milwaukee to face the Bucks
By Joshua Lea
The Pelicans push to the playoffs is in full swing. Today, they’ll look to capitalize on some key losses from last night and hopefully move up in the standings.
The Pelicans still hold the 8th spot after some entertaining action around the NBA last evening. The Oklahoma City slipped from the sixth to the seventh seed after losing to the Golden State Warriors 112-80.
The Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz, and Minnesota Timberwolves all won their games last night keeping their spot in the west. Tonight the Denver Nuggets will take on the Houston Rockets at home. A Denver loss and a New Orleans win could move the Pels into the sixth seed tonight.
This is the second meeting between these two opponents this season. The first meeting went the Pelicans way as they defeated the Bucks 115-108. The Pels had double-digit scoring for 4 players with DeMarcus Cousins leading the way with 26 points.
However, a win in Milwaukee isn’t going to be easy. The Bucks have one of the most electrifying big men in the league in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists this season. He’s also shooting 53 percent from the floor and has a total win share of 9.3.
Anthony Davis will have his work cut out for him. Keeping Antetokounmpo out of the paint will be a huge key to getting the much-needed victory today. While Antetokounmpo will be a major focus for the Pelicans today. Khris Middleton will be another defensive assignment the Pels will have to take seriously. Middleton averages 20 points a game and can get hot in a hurry. Middleton is playing the best basketball of his NBA career, helping solidify the Bucks as an Eastern Conference threat.
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The Bucks also feature veteran swingman Jason Terry, who is coming off a solid game against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. Terry shot 4-of-5 from the three-point line and help propel the Bucks to an overtime victory with 14 points on the night.
For the Pelicans, Davis will have to once again carry the bulk of the offensive load. Davis has been a monster these last 10 games, scoring 32 points a game and grabbing 12 rebounds. One area the Pelicans can exploit the Bucks is rebound.
The Bucks average 31 defensive rebounds a game and only 8 offensive. Davis should have no problems crashing the glass and gathering up plenty of boards to secure a Pels win.
The Bucks also struggle from beyond the arch, keeping them out of the paint and forcing them to take tough jump shots will be significant in this game.
Next: Questions with Pelicans fans
Tip-off is at 2 pm. This could be a key road win that will move the Pels up in the standings if the Nuggets lose against Houston. The Thunder are likely to remain in the seventh seed as they have 34 wins on the season. The Nuggets have 33 and the Pels have 32 going into today’s game.