The Charlotte Hornets (11-21) take on the Milwaukee Bucks (17-13) at Spectrum Center. The game will air on Fox Sports Net Wisconsin at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23, 2017.
Charlotte is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 210.5 points.
Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets ATS Prediction
The Bucks have won two out of three against the Hornets this season, including a 109-104 victory in their last matchup. Milwaukee covered as a 4-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 213 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 203 points. The Bucks made 19 of their 23 free throws (82.6 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (6.7 vs. 8.6). Walker scored a game-high 32 points.
The aggressive Charlotte offense looks poised to dominate from the foul line. The Hornets currently rank second in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.233, while Milwaukee is among the league’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 30th-ranked FTA rate of 0.244). Ball security should be an advantage for the Bucks. They rank 3rd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0 percent). Conversely, the Hornets force the third-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.1 percent).
Milwaukee heads into the game with records of 17-13 straight up (SU) and 13-13-3 against the spread (ATS). Bucks games have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (62.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 11-21 SU and 12-17-2 ATS. Unlike Milwaukee, games featuring the Hornets have a slight tendency to go under the total (54.8 percent).
Khris Middleton has averaged 21.0 points, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Milwaukee is 7-6-1 ATS with 10 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Charlotte is 9-9 ATS with 11 unders and 7 overs.
Milwaukee and Charlotte are both 6-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points.
The Bucks are 14-7 when they score over 100 points, while the Hornets are 11-9.
Charlotte ranks second in rebounds per game (46.7) while Milwaukee ranks last (38.7).
The Bucks rank sixth in steals per game (8.7) while the Hornets rank 29th (6.4).
Milwaukee ranks seventh in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Charlotte ranks 25th (15.3).
The Hornets rank 11th in second chance points per game (12.9) while the Bucks rank 28th (9.4).
Milwaukee ranks first in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while Charlotte ranks 17th (5.0).
The Bucks rank 15th in assists per game (22.4) while the Hornets rank 27th (20.5).
Milwaukee averages 46.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 14th in points allowed in the paint per game (43.5).
The Bucks rank first in fast break points allowed per game (6.8) while the Hornets rank eighth (9.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs.
Charlotte is 1-3-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Bucks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.8, up from 0.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 102.6 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.2 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
