The Milwaukee Bucks (38-21) head to North Carolina to take on the Charlotte Hornets (15-43). Milwaukee hopes for a repeat of two days ago. The Bucks destroyed the Hornets at home, winning 123-85. This is the fourth and final matchup between these two teams this season, and the Bucks hope to sweep the series against an inferior opponent.
Based on two days ago, this spread will easily reach double-digits. How high could the spread get, and is it worth betting?
Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Charlotte Hornets: Betting Odds and Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -12 -110 |
O 216.0 -112 |
-700 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +12 -110 |
U 216.0 -108 |
+500 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Fixture: Milwaukee Bucks @ Charlotte Hornets
Date And Time: February 29, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC
Key Stats
Milwaukee Bucks (Averages)
Points: 121.8
Points Allowed: 111.7
Field Goal Efficiency: 44.0/89.0 for 49.3%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 14.3/37.9 for 37.7%
Free Throw Efficiency: 19.5/25.3 for 77.0%
Rebounds: 9.4 Offensive, 34.9 Defensive, 44.2 Combined
Assists: 26.8
Steals: 6.9
Blocks: 5.2
Turnovers: 12.9
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 43.7/93.0 for 47.0%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 12.2/34.6 for 35.3%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 18.0/22.3 for 78.2%
Rebounds Against: 10.7 Offensive, 33.5 Defensive, 44.2 Combined
The Milwaukee Bucks are figuring something out. Over the past five games, their defense has looked like a championship-caliber unit. It took Doc Rivers a few weeks, but he has made the adjustments. This is a nightmare for a team like the Hornets. We saw it two days ago. The Bucks could clamp down on an inferior offense and blow them off the court.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Milwaukee Bucks rank fifth in the league with 14.3 three-pointers per game. In the past ten games, Malik Beasley has helped that number. He has averaged 2.9 threes per game while shooting 45% from beyond the arc during that span. Khris Middleton is still out, but they should not need him for a matchup against one of the bottom feeders in the league.
Charlotte Hornets (Averages)
Points: 107.7
Points Allowed: 118.2
Field Goal Efficiency: 40.4/88.4 for 45.7%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 12.0/33.3 for 36.0%
Free Throw Efficiency: 14.8/18.8 for 78.5%
Rebounds: 10.0 Offensive, 31.1 Defensive, 41.1 Combined
Assists: 24.8
Steals: 6.8
Blocks: 4.7
Turnovers: 13.9
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 43.5/87.7 for 49.6%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 13.4/35.1 for 38.2%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 17.7/22.3 for 79.6%
Rebounds Against: 10.3 Offensive, 35.1 Defensive, 45.3 Combined
The Charlotte Hornets are trending in the wrong direction. After showing signs of life in the past month, they have been straight-up bad as of late. The Hornets have averaged three points less than their season average in the past ten games. Part of this is due to the fire sale at the trade deadline, but players have also struggled.
The lone bright spots have been Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. Miller is shooting just under 46% from the field and is showing why he was worthy of the second-overall pick. Bridges has averaged 23.9 points over the past ten games. If the team has any chance in this one, those two will likely carry the offensive load.
LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams remain out with injuries, which is not helping this team at all.
Game Prediction
These teams have not drastically changed in the last two days. While being on the road is different than being at home, I expect fans to have a case of deja vu during this game. The Milwaukee Bucks are gaining confidence. The Charlotte Hornets are without two of their best players.
Regarding betting, the challenge becomes knowing when the Bucks feel they have control of the game. If Thanasis Antetokounmpo plays the entire fourth quarter, Charlotte could cover, and the under could hit. If you are betting the over, you are hoping the Hornets can at least stay in striking distance, so Damien Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo must stay in. I don’t see that happening. 12 is a big number but not big enough for me to be scared. The Hornets don’t cover, and there are lots of garbage time points.
Final Pick
Milwaukee Bucks -12.0 and Over 216.0
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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