Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and predictions

The Charlotte Hornets (10-29) battle the Milwaukee Bucks (25-13) Friday. Tip from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hornets at Bucks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The Hornets lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 131-107 at home Wednesday, failing to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. Charlotte is just 16-20-3 against the spread (ATS) on the season. It has failed to cover its last 3 games, but is 4-5-1 ATS in its last 10. Charlotte’s main weakness is offensive efficiency, ranking 29th in FG percentage (44.4%) and 30th in 3-point FG percentage (32.1%).

The Bucks beat the Raptors 104-101 on Wednesday, covering as 5.5-point road underdogs. The Bucks are a strong 16-4 straight up at home and have covered 3 of their last 4. They are just 5-5 ATS in their last 10. Milwaukee’s strength is defense, sitting 2nd in the NBA in opponents’ FG percentage (45.1%).

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Hornets at Bucks odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:28 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Hornets +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Bucks -480 (bet $480 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +10.5 (-118) | Bucks -10.5 (-102)
Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Hornets at Bucks key injuries

Hornets

F Gordon Hayward (hamstring) doubtful
G Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) out

Bucks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probable
G Jrue Holiday (illness) probable
G Khris Middleton (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Hornets at Bucks picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 120, Hornets 107

Moneyline

PASS.

The Bucks should and likely will win, but at (-480), they have no value to outright come out on top.

Against the spread

BET BUCKS -10.5 (-102).

Milwaukee has covered 3 of its last 4 and is 2-1 ATS as a double-digit favorite at home. It is the far better team and, with Holiday, one of the league’s best on-ball defensive guards, likely to play, the Hornets’ main option, G LaMelo Ball, should be neutralized.

The Hornets rank last in effective FG percentage, so they aren’t going to be able to keep themselves in the game against a thriving Milwaukee defense.

The season-long trends, Charlotte 16-20-3 ATS and Milwaukee 20-16-2 ATS, point to the Bucks being a better play as well. The Hornets have lost 3 in a row, 2 of which were by at least 17 points.

Ultimately, considering the trends and styles of these teams, back the BUCKS -10.5 (-102).

Over/Under

LEAN UNDER 232.5 (-112).

The Bucks and Raptors combined for 25 points in the 1st quarter with an ending 1st-quarter score of 13-12. Milwaukee’s last game didn’t hit the Over even with overtime.

The Bucks are 19-19 O/U with the Hornets 19-19-1 O/U. Milwaukee has gone Under in 2 of its last 3 while Charlotte has gone Under in 5 of its last 6. The Bucks rock-solid defense should limit what Charlotte can do enough to make the Under the better play.

Charlotte has scored 107 or less in 2 of last 3 and 3 of its last 5. Without Middleton, the Bucks offense also won’t be what it should be come playoff time. Back the UNDER 232.5 (-112).

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