The Milwaukee Bucks have dropped four games in a row, but they’re hoping to get Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo (listed as questionable) on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
The star duo missed Monday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma City Thunder, but this game is a must-win for the Bucks — who have fallen to fifth in the East (behind Cleveland, Boston, New York and Indiana).
Charlotte is without Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin and Tre Mann in this matchup and it has lost five games in a row, including one to the Washington Wizards their last time out.
Less than ideal.
Oddsmakers have favored the Bucks in this game, but can bettors trust them to cover on the road?
Here’s a breakdown of the latest odds, players to watch in the prop market and my prediction for Wednesday’s contest.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Spread
Moneyline
Total
Bucks guard Damian Lillard is averaging 7.3 assists per game this season, clearing 6.5 dimes in 10 games since Jan. 1.
Over that stretch, Lillard is averaging 6.9 assists per game, and he’s putting up 13.2 potential assists per game in the 2024-25 season. I think this number is a steal for Dame against a Charlotte team that is in the middle of the pack in opponent assists per game this season.
With Ball, Miller, Martin and Mann out, Micic – if he plays – should be in line for a pretty big role on Wednesday.
The veteran guard has scored 11 or more points in six of his last seven games, starting five of them. Over that seven-game stretch, Micic is taking 10.0 shots per game, putting up at least 10 shots in five contests.
He’s a solid bet at this number against a Bucks team that has struggled against guards this season, allowing the most points per game to point guards in the NBA.
While the Bucks are just 5-8 against the spread as road favorites in this matchup, I can’t back Charlotte given its recent play.
The Hornets are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating this season, and now they don’t have their top two scorers in Miller (out for the season) and Ball.
On top of that, Charlotte lost by 10 – at home – to the NBA’s worst team, the Washington Wizards, in its last matchup.
So, if Lillard and Antetokounmpo suit up on Wednesday night, it’s hard not to expect them to win this game fairly easily. During the Hornets’ five-game losing streak, they’ve lost four games at home and dropped a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets by double-digits as well.
Don’t overthink this matchup on Wednesday.
Pick: Bucks -10 (-112 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
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