Milwaukee Bucks (37-23 27-33 ATS) at Charlotte Hornets (30-30 32-27-1 ATS)
The Charlotte Hornets have won two in a row and in an Eastern Conference matchup play host to a Bucks team that had won two in a row before a loss in their last game.
(This preview is posted for this Tuesday game before the trends and odds are out and check back, as they will be posted soon.)
The Bucks are in third place in the Eastern Conference and had beaten second place Philadelphia in two straight games before losing to the Atlanta Hawks in their last game.
Milwaukee is the highest scoring team in the NBA averaging 119.6 ppg and they had scored 124 points and 132 points, respectively, in the two wins over the 76ers while only scoring 104 points in the last game.
The Hornets have won two in a row and they are coming off an impressive win over the Boston Celtics. The team is in the eighth spot in the East and look to move up to avoid the play-in games for the post-season.
Charlotte moved to .500 with their last win and rank 22nd in the league in ppg and 20th in opponents points per game.
The Hornets have beaten the Bucks in both meetings this season but in the last game Milwaukee was without their entire starting lineup.
Falling Apart in the Fourth Quarter
In their last game the Bucks were on the road losing to the Atlanta Hawks where they were outscored 41-26 in the fourth quarter.
In the last game the Bucks shot the ball better (48.1% to 45.5%) but did not shoot the 3-pointer nearly as well. Four of five starters for Milwaukee scored in double figures and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton combined for 54 points.
Antetokounmpo ranks fifth in the league averaging 28.4 ppg and has a double-double in three straight games. Middleton (20 ppg) has scored at least 23 points in three of his last four games.
Milwaukee has six players that are averaging in double figures.
On the season the Bucks are 17-13 on the road.
Impressive Win
In their last game, the Hornets were at home and beat the Boston Celtics 125-104. The team played well on both ends of the floor shooting 50.5% from the field and holding the Celtics to 38.6% shooting.
Four starters for Charlotte scored at least 20 points in the last game led by Devonte’ Graham with 24 points and P.J. Washington had a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Terry Rozier (20.6 ppg) leads the Hornets in scoring and in the last two games he has totaled 46 points and 17 assists.
Gordan Hayward is the second leading scorer averaging 19.6 ppg but he is out for this game but will be back soon. Super rookie LaMelo Ball (15.9 ppg 5.9 rpg 6.1 assists per game) was feared to be lost for the season with a wrist injury but like Hayward he should be back on the court soon.
On the season the Hornets are 16-12 at home.
Prediction
The Hornets have beaten the Bucks in both matchups this season, but the third time will be the charm for Milwaukee. They will play well in this game and get a big game from the Greek Freak. Look for the Bucks to light up the scoreboard against the shorthanded Hornets and get the W.
PICK: Bucks