Editor’s Note: Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s game.
There are 12 games of NBA action across tonight’s NBA slate. Tipping off in the early window, the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Charlotte Hornets, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
After an offseason overshadowed by Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown a spark to start this season. They are off to a 7-4 record and tied for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has some intriguing young talent, but it has not had as much luck getting results just yet. The Hornets hold a 3-7 record on the year, which puts them in 12th place in the East.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Bucks enter as 5.5-point favorites and hold -192 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Hornets hold +160 odds of getting the outright victory, with the game total set at 231.5 points.
This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Wednesday night matchup.
Bucks at Hornets preview, prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a 7-4 start to the season and most recently defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Their seven wins have come against the Wizards, Raptors, Knicks, Warriors, Pacers, Bulls and Mavericks. Milwaukee has fallen short against the Cavaliers, Kings, Raptors and Rockets. It is 6-5 against the spread thus far this season, with the over cashing in seven of the 11 games.
As is typically the case, the Bucks’ production runs through Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP is averaging an NBA-best 33.4 points per game, along with 11.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He also leads the league in made field goals, two-point attempts and free-throw attempts this year. Milwaukee has built an identity keeping the ball in Antetokounmpo’s hands, allowing him to get downhill and forcing opponents to make decisions. The Bucks surround him with four shooters, and defenses are forced to make a decision between doubling the nine-time All-Star and opening up perimeter shots or allowing Antetokounmpo to attack with his physically commanding force in a one-on-one setting. The Bucks star is officially listed as questionable with a knee issue tonight, but he has been on the injury report all season and battled through. Taurean Prince and Kevin Porter Jr. remain sidelined.
A.J. Green, Ryan Rollins, Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. and Myles Turner make this style of play possible with each taking 3.4 or more three-point attempts per game and connecting at a 36.7% rate or greater. Green leads the charge with a 47.2% three-point percentage on 6.5 long-range shots per contest. Collectively, the Bucks are shooting 40.0% on three-pointers, which is the third-best rate in the NBA. They are 10th in scoring at 119.6 points per game and limiting turnovers at the fifth-best rate. Defensively, opponents are scoring 118.1 points per game, which ranks 19th, and posting the sixth-worst three-point percentage when facing them.
The Hornets have built up an intriguing young core but are not seeing the results just yet. They are 3-7 on the year and enter on a three-game losing streak. Charlotte’s three wins have come against the Nets, Wizards and Jazz, while it has suffered losses to the 76ers, Magic, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Lakers and Heat twice. The Hornets are 4-6 against the spread, and the game total is 5-5 to the over/under.
LaMelo Ball’s injury issues continue to be a concern, and he will miss his fifth consecutive game due to his ankle injury. The former All-Star is averaging 23.3 points, 9.8 assists and 7.8 rebounds when he has been on the floor, but the availability concerns continue to be at the forefront of the conversation for his outlook. Brandon Miller, Josh Green, and Grant Williams also remain out tonight, while Ryan Kalkbrenner was a late addition to the injury report and is listed as questionable with a personal matter. Kon Knueppel has played his way into the Rookie of the Year conversation with averages of 16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 40.0% from beyond the three-point arc. Fellow rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner has also impressed, averaging 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds as the starting big man while leading the NBA with an 80.8% field-goal percentage. Miles Bridges can still take over on any given night, while Sion James and Collin Sexton have exceeded early expectations.
The Hornets rank 13th in the league in scoring at 118.2 points per game. They are 13th in field-goal percentage and ninth in three-point percentage, as well as ninth in rebounds per game. Defensively, opponents are scoring 121.0 points per game, which ranks 25th, and the Hornets rank 27th in both opponent field-goal percentage and three-point percentage allowed. Charolette is dead last in steals per game.
Bucks at Hornets prediction, best bet
The Bucks are playing good basketball and have exceeded early expectations to start this year. These are the types of games they must capitalize on to keep the season-long goals in play and position themselves for a postseason run. This is especially the case with the Hornets struggling of late by dropping five of their past six games and being without some of their top players.
While my lean is certainly toward a Bucks victory and covering the 5.5-point spread, I am backing the game total to go over in this matchup. Milwaukee has put some strong scoring totals on the board this season, scoring 133 points twice and tallying over 120 points in six games. It is 10th in points per game overall and will be prepared to put a strong total on the board against a vulnerable Hornets defense.
Charlotte ranks 25th in opponent points per game overall and has given up 120+ points in six games this season. It has conceded as many as 144 points in a game already this year, and its defense will take a further hit if Kalkbrenner is to miss tonight. The Bucks are lighting it up from the perimeter with the third-best three-point efficiency, while the Hornets rank 27th in opponent three-point percentage allowed.
On top of this, the Hornets have shown some signs of life offensively. They also launch three-pointers at the 11th-highest rate in the league and are connecting at a 37.8% rate. Charolette is in the top half of the league in scoring despite its subpar record and will need this game to be a shootout if it is to have any sort of chance. Expect both these teams to put some points on the board and for the game total to soar past the 231.5 game total in this Wednesday night matchup.
