The Charlotte Hornets host the Milwaukee Bucks for an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup on Monday. The Hornets and Bucks faced off in Charlotte on Saturday, with Charlotte prevailing by a 114-106 margin. Charlotte is 21-19 this season, with Milwaukee entering at 26-16. Jrue Holiday (ankle), Brook Lopez (back), George Hill (protocols) and Grayson Allen (protocols) are out for the Bucks. Pat Connaughton (protocols) is listed as questionable for Milwaukee.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET in Charlotte. Caesars Sportsbook lists Milwaukee as the 2.5-point road favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 234.5 in the latest Bucks vs. Hornets odds. Before making any Hornets vs. Bucks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model entered Week 12 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 50-27 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Hornets, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Hornets vs. Bucks:
- Bucks vs. Hornets spread: Bucks -2.5
- Bucks vs. Hornets over-under: 234.5 points
- Bucks vs. Hornets money line: Bucks -145, Hornets +125
- MIL: The Bucks are 12-10 against the spread in road games
- CHA: The Hornets are 13-3 against the spread in home games
Featured Game | Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Why the Bucks can cover
The reigning champs are balanced and effective on both ends. Milwaukee ranks in the top 10 of the NBA on defense, allowing 107.9 points per 100 possessions. The Bucks are also in the top 10 on offense, scoring 111.7 points per 100 possessions. Milwaukee is above average in free-throw creation, offensive rebounding, ball security and 3-point shooting on offense, and the Bucks will face a Hornets team with a porous defense.
Charlotte is last in the NBA in 3-pointers allowed and assists allowed, with bottom-five ranks in 2-point percentage allowed and overall defensive rating. On the opposite end, the Hornets are much better, but the Bucks hold opponents to 44.2 percent shooting and 33.8 percent from 3-point range. Milwaukee is No. 6 in the NBA in free-throw attempts allowed (19.3 per game) and No. 5 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint, giving up only 42.8 per contest. The Bucks also secure nearly 74 percent of missed shots on the defensive glass.
Why the Hornets can cover
Charlotte’s offense is elite overall and dynamic in several key areas. The Hornets are scoring 112.9 points per 100 possessions, No. 3 in the NBA, and Charlotte ranks in the top three of the league in turnover rate (12.7 percent), assists (27.2 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.09). The Hornets are in the top 10 in field-goal percentage, making 46.4 percent of shots, and Charlotte is in the top three of the NBA in 3-pointers (14.4 per game) and 3-point accuracy (37.9 percent).
The Hornets top that off with top-five marks in fast-break points and points in the paint, and Charlotte did a nice job defensively on Saturday. The Hornets held the Bucks to just 1.05 points per 100 possessions, forcing 15 turnovers and prompting Milwaukee to shoot only 39 percent from the floor. Charlotte is in the top eight of the NBA in steals (9.0 per game), blocked shots (5.3 per game) and turnovers created (15.3 per game), creating havoc for opponents this season.
How to make Hornets vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting 224 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Hornets? And which side of the spread hits in almost 70 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
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