Bucks Face Injury-Riddled Pelicans in Crucial Late-Season Matchup

NEW ORLEANS – The Milwaukee Bucks return to New Orleans tonight to face the Pelicans in a rescheduled game, originally slated for January 22 but postponed due to severe weather. The matchup at Smoothie King Center comes as the Bucks seek their fourth consecutive victory while the Pelicans cope with a significant injury crisis.

The Bucks (43-34) encountered a snowstorm in late January, which stranded them for days, impacting their game schedule. They finally arrived home on January 23, just in time for their next matchup. Currently, Milwaukee is aiming to maintain its position as it races for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, slightly ahead of the Detroit Pistons (43-35).

New Orleans (21-56), meanwhile, finds itself wrestling with injury woes. Eight players are sidelined, including key stars like Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III. The team also parted ways with Brandon Ingram, leaving the Pelicans struggling through their last ten games, winning only three.

The Bucks face challenges of their own as their two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game due to lingering shoulder pain. Despite playing through discomfort during the season, Antetokounmpo has delivered exceptional performances, averaging a triple-double over recent games. ‘Every win counts,’ he emphasized.

With playoff positioning tightening, the Bucks and Pistons have exchanged seeds regularly, both contending for the right to face the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks in the first round. Milwaukee holds a favorable 3-1 record against the Pacers, contrasting with their struggles against the Knicks, against whom they are winless this season.

The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. The Bucks are favored by 8.5 points, with an over/under set at 221.5 points according to BetMGM.