The Milwaukee Bucks will play host to the visiting New Orleans Pelicans as they aim for a season series sweep. They are confident as ever with Khris Middleton back on the floor again, which is just in time as Bobby Portis is sidelined for 3-5 weeks with an MCL sprain.

Catch the game tomorrow, 8:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Milwaukee Bucks (32-17, 19-5 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jrue Holiday
  • Grayson Allen
  • Pat Connaughton
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Brook Lopez

The Bucks are winners of three-straight games, and their high-powered offense is beaming. They lit up the scoreboard for 150 and 141 points in two of those outings, probably inspired over Khris Middleton’s return.

Middleton will be in his fourth game back. We’ll see if his minute restrictions can somehow be lifted tomorrow. He hasn’t exceeded 15 minutes in the three previous contests, and was able to post 17 points in just 14 minutes of action this past Saturday.

Nevertheless, Giannis Antetekounmpo (31.2 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 5.3 APG) will be the freak that he is, and Brook Lopez’s interior defense and sweet outside shooting will be there to further boost Giannis’s attack. They had 42 and 30 points, respectively, in the 128-119 win against the Pels last December 20th.

Further, 3 and D specialists Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton are also guys to watch out for – the latter has 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 threes in his last seven games.

The Bucks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

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AWAY: New Orleans Pelicans (26-24, 9-15 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • CJ McCollum
  • Trey Murphy
  • Herbert Jones
  • Brandon Ingram
  • Jonas Valanciunas

The Pelicans will again continue without Zion Williamson (hamstring) but recently got back Brandon Ingram after a two-month absence. Still, they are on a dreadful stretch right now, having lost seven straight games, and 12 of their last 15.

Monday will also be the second night of a back-to-back, so that’s an extra concern for a team already in a funk. They fell to the Washington Wizards at home on Sunday, 113-103.

CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas led the way in the loss to the Bucks last month, with the latter having a team-high 37 points while also snatching 18 boards, and the former adding 31, including six threes. We should see the two do the same tomorrow, with Ingram also joining the mix. The 25-year-old forward will look to be in better rhythm as he shot a combined 12-for-40 in his two games since returning.

The Pelicans are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Bucks (+9.5) pick up a convincing win off the tired Pelicans and cover the spread.

Over/Under: Giannis and company will pour it on and may slack off in the second half. The over 233 looks good.