Feb. 20, 2026, 11:06 a.m. ET

The Milwaukee Bucks (23-30) and New Orleans Pelicans (15-41) meet Friday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, at 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Bucks vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Bucks lead 1-0, a 141-137 overtime home win as 5-point underdogs on Feb. 4. The Over hit at 223.5 as Milwaukee G Ryan Rollins scored a team-high 27 points.

The Bucks are coming off a 110-93 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 12. Milwaukee covered as a 13.5-point road underdog as the Under (214.5) cashed.

The Pelicans are coming off a 123-111 home loss to the Miami Heat on Feb. 11. Favored New Orleans failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as the teams hit the Over (232.5).

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Bucks at Pelicans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Bucks +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Pelicans -175 (bet $175 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Bucks +4.5 (-115) | Pelicans -4.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Bucks at Pelicans injuries

Bucks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) outF Taurean Prince (neck) outC Myles Turner (calf) out

Pelicans

C Yves Missi (calf) outF Trey Murphy III (shoulder) doubtfulG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) outG Micah Peavy (toe) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Bucks at Pelicans picks and predictionsPrediction

Bucks 108, Pelicans 104

BET BUCKS (+145).

Milwaukee has played admirably (5-1 during its last 6 games) without Antetokounmpo, who has missed the last 9 games. The Bucks have also won the previous 3 meetings against New Orleans dating back to last season. Being without Murphy is a blow for the Pelicans, who are 2-4 in their last 6 games.

AVOID.

The Bucks are 5-5 against the spread during their last 10 games while the Pelicans are 6-4. The Bucks have had more recent success, covering in 5 of their last 6. New Orleans has failed to cover in 4 of its last 6.

BET UNDER 222.5 (-105).

Each team has hit the Under in 6 of its last 10 games. With both sides dealing with significant injuries, the Under should be a safe bet.

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