Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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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Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks NBA odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Charlotte Hornets (26-24) are in Cream City Friday for a 9 p.m. ET game against the Milwaukee Bucks (32-19) at Fiserv Forum. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Bucks odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

Charlotte has been up-and-down lately, alternating between winning and losing over its past seven contests (4-3 straight up and 5-2 against the spread). Most of the Hornets’ struggles could be attributed to their injuries, but their last three losses have been vs. quality opponents in the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

Milwaukee got drilled 116-101 Thursday at the Dallas Mavericks as a 2.5-point road underdog for its second straight loss. Over the past two weeks, the Bucks are 3-4 straight up and 2-5 ATS while dealing with their own injury concerns.

The Hornets obliterated a fully-loaded Bucks team 126-114 as 9.5-point home dogs Jan. 30; however, both SF Gordon Hayward and PG LaMelo Ball scored 27 points and neither will play in Friday’s rematch.

Hornets at Bucks: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Hornets +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Bucks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +4.5 (-110) | Bucks -4.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 220.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Hornets at Bucks: Key injuries

Hornets

  • PG LaMelo Ball (wrist) out
  • SF Gordon Hayward (foot) out
  • SG Malik Monk (ankle) out

Bucks

  • PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) out
  • PG Jrue Holiday (knee) out

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Hornets at Bucks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bucks 113, Hornets 111

Money line (ML)

Slight “LEAN” to the HORNETS (+155) for one-fifth of a unit if at all because I “like” Charlotte to cover the spread and it is a live underdog in this spot.

While Bucks wing Khris Middleton is discussed as an All-Star-caliber player, I have little hope he alone will carry the water for Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo and Holiday are first and third for on-off court net rating in Milwaukee’s starting 5 whereas Middleton has a minus-2 on-off court rating.

Charlotte to cover the spread is a much better wager considering all the missing production from its lineup.

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Against the spread (ATS)

A major reason I’m BETTING HORNETS +4.5 (-110) for 1 unit is that the Bucks’ backcourt could get lit up by Hornets leading-scorer SG Terry Rozier without Holiday’s All-NBA-caliber defense in the lineup.

Based on this season alone and the current injury reports for both sides, Rozier is the best player on the floor, has been playing with an edge and moxie this whole season and has put Charlotte on his back late in games.

Finally, this is a “Pros vs. Joes” scenario within the betting market as nearly 90% of the money wagered is on the Hornets covering but the ticket handle is dead-even, according to Pregame.com.

Typically, the “sharp” side of the market is the money column and the “average Joe” makes up the bets placed column.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS because it’s hard to gauge what either team’s offense is going to do with all their injuries, but I “LEAN” Over 220.5 (-115) since Milwaukee will be without Holiday and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Antetokounmpo.

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