Zion, Giannis Clash In Star Matchup When Pelicans Host Bucks

The Bucks have held a recent dominance over the Pelicans, winning 9 of their last 11 games against New Orleans.

Dec 19, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) continue their gauntlet at home, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) Thursday evening at the Smoothie King Center. This is the second game of a six-game homestand that includes five straight games against teams in the playoff race currently. New Orleans lost its opening game at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Milwaukee is entrenched as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They feature a dynamic scoring duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who together make one of the highest-scoring duos in the NBA. Giannis is again in the MVP discussion, being one of three players in the NBA to average more than 30 points a game and has the highest points in the paint average in the league. Meanwhile, Lillard was traded to the Bucks before the start of the season and has flourished on a contending team. Lillard averages 24.5 points, with a team-leading 7.1 assists per game.

The Bucks are an offensive force, averaging the third most points in the NBA, but their defense has struggled most of this season. New Orleans can get the advantage inside the paint with Zion Williamson, who averages the second-most paint points, only trailing Giannis. Milwaukee ranks No. 19 in most points inside the paint allowed in the NBA. This bodes well for extra playing time for Jonas Valanciunas, who did not log a minute in the second half against OKC. Pels Coach Willie Green wanted a smaller, faster lineup on Tuesday, but with the Bucks' size coming in, Jonas should get plenty of playing time.

New Orleans is still without Brandon Ingram, who continues to heal from his hyperextended knee injury. Trey Murphy III has shot the ball well in the month of March, ranking seventh in the league in three-point shooting percentage this month. He will continue to get the start until Ingram returns from injury. The Pelicans may also get a boost with the return of Dyson Daniels.

Daniels has missed nearly a month and a half with a knee injury suffered in February. On Wednesday he saw his first action on the court when he played for the team's G League Birmingham Squadrons. Dyson scored 22 points and recorded seven steals. On Thursday, the Pelicans recalled him up to the team. It is unclear whether he will play Thursday night, but rejoining the team means he'll suit up sooner rather than later.

The tough home stretch continues with the Celtics, Suns, and Magic coming to New Orleans after the Bucks game. New Orleans is trying to fend off the Mavericks and Suns and avoid the Play-In Tournament for the third consecutive year.