Hornets vs Bucks Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Tuesday, January 31st

Check out our free Hornets vs Bucks pick and preview for this NBA game in Milwaukee. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Hornets vs Bucks NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks
Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
Date: Tuesday, January 31st
Betting Odds MIL -12, CHA +495 | MIL -691 O/U 239.0

So far, the Hornets have put together an overall record of 15-36, while going 21-26-4 vs the spread. Against the Bucks, the Hornets are going for their 3rd straight win, posting an average scoring margin of 10.0 points per game in this stretch.

Charlotte is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Heat. With the 122-117 victory, they also covered the spread as 6 point underdogs. Although Charlotte trailed the Heat going into halftime, by the end of the 3rd quarter they had taken the lead. Leading the team in scoring was Terry Rozier, as he contributed 31 points while hitting 57.9% of his shots.

The Bucks come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 33-17. So far, the team has gone 27-20-3 against the spread. Against the Hornets, the Bucks are looking to add to their current 4 game winning streak. The average margin of victory across these matchups is 15.75.

In their previous game, the Bucks took down the Pelicans by a score of 135-110. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 10 point favorites. Milwaukee was able to take care of business in the second half of this game, as they didn’t allow the Pelicans to cut into their 18 point halftime lead. Leading the team in scoring was Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he contributed 50 points while hitting 76.9% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I Similar to their season-long average, the Hornets averaged 112.0 points per game vs the Bucks. Just like the Hornets, the Bucks maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 115.5 points per game vs Charlotte. When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Hornets hold the edge at 3-2. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 2 points per game. The over-under record in these same games is 1-4, with the teams combining for an average of 220 points per game.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 51 games, Charlotte is averaging 112.2 points per game (25th). When looking at the Hornets pace of play, they tend to play an up-tempo style of basketball. So far, the team is in the upper half of the NBA in possessions per game, averaging 101.5. Although the Hornets offense does a good job generating possessions, their poor shooting numbers are a key reason for their poor scoring numbers. So far, the team has an effective field goal percentage of just 51.2%.

On defense, the Hornets will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 25th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

This season, the Hornets offense has primarily worked through Terry Rozier and P.J. Washington who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 41 games, Rozier is 36th in the NBA at 21.7 points per game. So far, him and Washington have accounted for 35% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 36.8 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, P.J. Washington is grabbing 4.5 rebounds for Charlotte to go along with 2.4 assists.

Through 50 games, the Bucks are averaging 114.1 points per contest, placing them 18th in the NBA. The Bucks come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 14.3 made 3’s per game. If the Bucks offense is going to improve, they could look to play at a faster tempo, as they currently average just 100.0 possession per game. This could benefit the team as they are currently one of the better 3-point shooting units in the NBA.

Against the Hornets, the Bucks will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 19th in points allowed.

Power-Foward Giannis Antetokounmpo currently leads the Bucks at 31.7 points per game. For the season, he is 3rd in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 23.2% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Antetokounmpo is averaging 12.0 boards and 5.3 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 25th ranked defense at defending power-fowards. Jrue Holiday enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 39 games, he is averaging 19.5 and is 67th in the league in player efficiency rating.