Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and predictions

Corey Scott | Staff Writer

The Charlotte Hornets (10-40) and Milwaukee Bucks (33-19) meet at Fiserv Forum Friday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Hornets vs. Bucks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Bucks lead 1-0

The Hornets are coming off a cover as 7-point home underdogs in a 123-117 loss vs. the Toronto Raptors Wednesday as the Over (227.5) hit. Charlotte has lost 9 straight but has covered in back-to-back games.

Milwaukee has lost 3 consecutive games straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). G Damian Lillard (ankle) has missed back-to-back games for the Bucks, including their most recent 129-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday. Milwaukee was a 2.5-point home underdog, and the Over (222) cashed.

In a Nov. 17 meeting, the Bucks covered as 8-point home favorites with a 130-99 win over the Hornets as the Under (243) hit.

Hornets at Bucks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:53 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Hornets +775 (bet $100 to win $775) | Bucks -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +14.5 (-115) | Bucks -14.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -120)

Hornets at Bucks key injuries

Hornets

G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
G Seth Curry (trade pending) out
G Cody Martin (knee) probable

Bucks

Not yet submitted

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Hornets at Bucks picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 116, Hornets 107

Moneyline

The Bucks (-1400) should snap their 3-game skid, but I can't recommend risking $1400 to win $100.

PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

The Bucks have scored 106 or fewer points in back-to-back games without Lillard, and even if the 8-time All-Star does return, his productivity should be limited coming off an injury. Winning by 15 or more should be a struggle for Milwaukee if it's not capable of scoring 123 or more points, especially since SU wins have been hard to come by for the Bucks in recent games.

The shorthanded Hornets don't have the firepower to win games SU, but they have covered in 2 straight. Look for the Hornets to stay competitive in a losing effort once again.

BET HORNETS +14.5 (-115).

Over/Under

The Bucks are averaging 123 points per game this season, good for 2nd in the NBA, but are 26th over their last 3, scoring just 106.3 per game. Milwaukee's offense is struggling without Lillard, and even if he returns, it doesn't seem likely that the Bucks will score enough to help the Over hit.

There's a little extra vig on this line, so I would recommend heading over to FanDuel Sportsbook to BET UNDER 231.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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