Charlotte Hornets (10-40) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (33-18)
February 9, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Milwaukee Bucks -14.5; Over/Under: +229
(Get latest betting odds)
The Charlotte Hornets pay a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum on Friday night. Here’s a Hornets vs Bucks Prediction.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 16 of their last 18 games overall and they will be hoping to snap an ugly nine-game losing streak after falling short to the Raptors in a 123-117 loss on Wednesday. Miles Bridges led the team with 45 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Brandon Miller added 20 points while Cody Martin chipped in with 19 points and eight assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 36 points in the first quarter to take an early 15-point lead, but they couldn’t maintain that pace for the entire game and scored just 20 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Raptors to run them down late.
Milwaukee Bucks
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been in a slump as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to snap a three-game skid after getting routed by the Timberwolves in a 129-105 loss last night. AJ Green led the team with 27 points on nine of 11 shooting off the bench, Jae Crowder added 21 points with eight rebounds and five assists while Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 17 points with seven assists. As a team, the Bucks shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 33 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Timberwolves right from the start, falling behind by 10 points at halftime, before they got blown out by 39-22 in the third quarter to lose big in the end. Malik Beasley had a night to forget as he finished with just three points on one of 13 shooting from the field. the Bucks will take on the Nuggets after this one.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Facts
- The Bucks have won each of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- Eight of the Bucks’ last nine home games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Charlotte Hornets Team Facts
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 14 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games against Central Division opponents.
- Each of the Hornets’ last four games as underdogs following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Hornets vs Bucks Prediction
The Hornets currently don’t have anyone on the injury report except for the newly acquired Grant Williams, Seth Curry and Kyle Lowry who have yet to play for their new team, while the Bucks are still shorthanded with Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton both currently ruled out. The Bucks should have no problem taking down this slumping Hornets team even if most of their starting lineup is missing, but this line just seems too hefty for me. I like the Bucks to get the win at home, but the Bucks are banged up and playing their second game of a back to back set, so I’m leaning towards the Hornets hanging around long enough to get the cover.
