This Eastern Conference battle sees the Charlotte Hornets head up to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks for the second time this season. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Hornets-Bucks prediction and pick.
The first meeting between these teams back in January saw the Hornets pull off an upset victory against the Bucks 126-114. These two teams are currently neck-and-neck in the Eastern Conference standings. LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward led the way for Charlotte in the win against the Bucks, but how will the Hornets hold up without their two leaders tonight?
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Hornets-Bucks odds.
NBA Odds: Hornets-Bucks Odds
Charlotte Hornets +9 (-110)
Over 225 Points (-110)
Under 225 Points (-110)
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
The Charlotte Hornets are only two games above .500 and currently find themselves in the fourth spot out east. They have certainly exceeded expectations all year long and continue to do so without their two best players for an extended period of time. It would be very interesting to see how far this team would go in 2021 if they were fully healthy. Losing LaMelo Ball was definitely a blow, but losing him and Gordon Hayward was devastating for a team ready to turn a corner.
LaMelo Ball's absence has left a void for a Charlotte team still looking to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 season. That void has been filled by Terry Rozier.
Rozier is the best player left on this Hornets roster and he will certainly be the key player in the game tonight. Terry is averaging 20.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in 2021. He is the best scorer and best defender on the team right now. Rozier will have to be better than his 12 point performance against the Bucks back in January. The Hornets will look to bounce back from a 30-point loss against the Boston Celtics in their last game.
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Milwaukee Bucks have had a solid 2021 season this far, but have fallen victim to the injury bug recently. Giannis Antetokonmpo and PJ Tucker are listed as day-to-day after missing last night's game against the Dallas Mavericks. With or without Giannis, the Bucks have to be thrilled to be back home after a long six-game road trip. They suffered two straight losses against Golden State and Dallas and have only won three of their last eight games overall. The absence of Giannis has clearly affected them as he has been out for most of the rough stretch his team is currently on.
The Bucks have seen some nice performances from their supporting cast of late, though. Donte DiVencenzo and Bobby Portis have stepped into their increased roles quite well. Donte had 22 points on six made three's in the loss to Dallas and Bobby has averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds in the last three games. Kris Middleton struggled Thursday night, but has been an elite second option for Milwaukee all season long. Jrue Holiday will be the X-factor for the Bucks. He has averaged 27.2 points, 7.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in the last five games before last night's loss. Holiday had 21 points on five made three's in the last game against Charlotte.
Final Hornets-Bucks Prediction & Pick
Giannis will likely be out for the Bucks yet again. Even without the Greek Freak, Milwaukee still possesses much more firepower than the depleted Charlotte Hornets. Being back at home in a huge bounce back spot has to be fuel for a reeling team looking to get back on track. The Hornets have limited scoring options to keep up with one of the best offensive units in the league. Milwaukee has the size advantage over Charlotte and will have the two best players on the floor in Jrue Holiday and Kris Middleton.
FINAL PICK: Milwaukee Bucks -9 (-110)
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