Bucks vs Hornets: Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks
Charlotte Seeks Third Win in Row
The Charlotte Hornets look to extend their winning run to three when they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
Charlotte has been an excellent team for bettors to follow, but the Bucks are defending champions for a reason.
NBA betting odds can’t split them, and we’re also predicting a tight tussle.
- Game: Milwaukee Bucks (26-16) vs Charlotte Hornets (21-19)
- Location: Spectrum Center
- Day/Time: Monday, 7 p.m. ET
Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets
Reigning Champs Hitting Wall
The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t muster much against the Charlotte Hornets when they met last week.
The 114-106 loss wasn’t a good display, which was the Bucks’ third loss from their last four games.
With recent losses to Detroit, Toronto and Charlotte, the Eastern Conference is up for grabs if the Bucks continue to struggle.
We’re not discrediting their 26-16 record, but with the likes of Jrue Holiday and George Hill out of action, it makes life harder for the defending champions.
Milwaukee beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-109, but the lack of recent consistency is a worry.
Bettors haven’t had a good time with the Bucks, who are 19-23 against the spread. They were the +1½ underdogs against Charlotte last week, but the market has tightened up since.
The Bucks are -2, so the sportsbook is giving the Bucks a better chance of winning despite the eight-point loss.
Hornets Trending in Right Direction
The Charlotte Hornets are only two games over .500, but they are heading in the right direction.
They own recent wins over the Pistons and Bucks, and the victory over Milwaukee is an excellent betting guide for Monday’s contest.
Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 43 points, the Hornets were able to limit the rest of the team. Terry Rozier chimed in with 28 points for Charlotte, and holding the Bucks to 12 points in the quarter proved to be the key to winning the game.
The Greek Freak was complimentary of Charlotte’s toughness.
“They play hard, and they are scrappy,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN. “They defend man-to-man, and then they’ll go zone. We have to trust one another and just focus on ourselves.”
The Hornets are 24-16 ATS, so bettors have cashed in. They have the second-best offense in the NBA, which is led by Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball.
They also have no injuries to worry about, which could tip the scales in their favor against the Bucks. Having recent winning experience against the Bucks is ideal, as they already know how to beat them.
It takes a concerted effort on defense, which has been sorely lacking. They rank 30th in points allowed and 24th in field goal percentage, so they’ll be hoping the Bucks don’t catch fire.
We thought betting online markets would have the Hornets at shorter odds. They play well against the Bucks, but we expect money to come for the home team close to tip-off.
Hornets Run It Back
It’s not easy to win consecutive games against the same team. We often see them split, but the Hornets are a team worth following.
They have an 11-5 record at Spectrum Center, and we were also impressed with their 140-111 win over the Pistons. It showcased just how electric their offense is, so the Bucks could struggle to keep up.
It will take more than just a big outing for Antetokounmpo to keep the Bucks in this contest, so take the Hornets at a generous price.
Pick: Charlotte Hornets (+2)
