Feb. 20, 2026, 11:06 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> (23-30) and New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> (15-41) meet Friday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, at 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NBA odds around the Bucks vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n Watch the NBA on Fubo!<\/a>Bucks at Pelicans odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Bucks<\/p>\n F\u00a0Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) outF Taurean Prince (neck) outC Myles Turner (calf) out<\/p>\n Pelicans<\/p>\n C\u00a0Yves Missi (calf) outF Trey Murphy III\u00a0(shoulder) doubtfulG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) outG Micah Peavy (toe) out<\/p>\n For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bucks at Pelicans picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Bucks 108, Pelicans 104<\/p>\n BET BUCKS (+145).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n AVOID.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n BET UNDER 222.5 (-105).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Access more NBA coverage:<\/p>\n HoopsHype<\/a> | Celtics Wire<\/a> | Nets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Rockets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Sixers Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Thunder Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Warriors Wire<\/a>\u00a0| LeBron Wire<\/a> |\u00a0Rookie Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0List Wire<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.<\/p>\n Gambling involves risk. 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