Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks February 5th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Milwaukee Bucks (-417) will travel to take on the Charlotte Hornets (+321) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Bucks are favored by 9.5 points and the over/under line is set at 220.

Milwaukee comes into this game with a record of 26-22 and have lost four straight games. On the other side, the Hornets are 12-35 and have lost five straight. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

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Bucks vs. Hornets Key Information

The Bucks fell to 26-22 on the season after a 125-96 road loss to the Thunder on Monday. Milwaukee entered the game as +17.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 221 points fell short of the 226.5-point over/under line.

Oklahoma City took control early, going on an 11-0 run to extend their lead from 30-19 to 41-19. The Thunder outscored the Bucks 39-22 in both the 1st and 2nd quarters. Milwaukee showed some fight in the 4th quarter, holding the Thunder to just 9 points while scoring 21 of their own.

In their 125-96 loss to the Thunder, the Bucks shot just 37.6% from the field, with a three-point percentage of 33.3%, connecting on 13 threes. Ryan Rollins led the way with 16 points, hitting 66.7% of his threes.

AJ Johnson added 13 points, including 7 in the 4th quarter, while Tyler Smith contributed 12 points, 5 of which came in the final period. Rollins also scored 12 of his 16 points in the 3rd quarter.

The Bucks struggled defensively against the Thunder, giving up 125 points on 51% shooting. Milwaukee allowed 39 points in each of the first three quarters before tightening up in the 4th, holding Oklahoma City to just 9 points.

From beyond the arc, the Thunder hit 16 threes at a 39% clip. The Bucks sent them to the line just 8 times, where they made 7 free throws. Milwaukee finished with 12 steals and 3 blocks.

The Hornets dropped to 12-35 on the season following a 124-114 loss to the Wizards on Monday. Charlotte, favored by 4.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 238 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 216 by 22 points.

Washington took control with an 11-0 run, turning a 42-37 deficit into a 48-42 lead. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Charlotte 46-25. The Hornets responded by winning the 3rd quarter 34-20 but couldn’t complete the comeback, as they were outscored 27-26 in the final period.

In their 124-114 loss to the Wizards, the Hornets shot 43.8% from the field, with 11 made threes at a 37.9% clip. Miles Bridges and Nick Smith Jr. led the way with 24 points each, with Bridges adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists, despite shooting just 28.6% from deep.

Smith hit 4 threes at 57.1%, scoring 11 points in the 1st quarter. Mark Williams added 23 points, with 10 coming in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. Josh Green and Vasilije Micić also contributed, with Micić scoring 8 of his 13 points in the 3rd.

The Hornets struggled defensively in the 2nd quarter, giving up 46 points, which contributed to their 124-114 loss to the Wizards. Despite a strong defensive effort in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed just 20 points, it wasn’t enough to overcome their earlier struggles.

Charlotte allowed Washington to hit 17 threes at a 33% clip. The Wizards also went 19/23 from the free-throw line. The Hornets finished with 37 defensive rebounds but gave up 18 offensive boards, while recording 4 steals and 1 block.

The Bucks is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 139-74. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Bucks at -9.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 220, and our model projects the Bucks and Hornets to reach a combined total of 213 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

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Bucks Aim to Break Four-Game Losing Streak Against Struggling Hornets

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, looking to shake off a four-game losing streak. After a tough 125-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee transitions from playing one of the NBA’s top teams to one of the league’s weakest. However, challenges persist for both teams, as injuries and inconsistency continue to shape their respective struggles.

Milwaukee’s Fatigue and Makeshift Lineup

Monday’s loss in Oklahoma City saw the Bucks field a depleted lineup, with head coach Doc Rivers acknowledging the team’s exhaustion. He considered flying key players straight to Charlotte to rest them but ultimately decided against it.

“My instincts told me to fly them directly to Charlotte,” Rivers said. “But that’s a bad look, and so I didn’t do that. And didn’t want to waste the owners’ money on fines.”

Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Brook Lopez due to injuries, while Bobby Portis Jr. was absent for personal reasons. Antetokounmpo had been on a five-game streak of scoring at least 30 points before missing Monday’s game with right patella tendinopathy. Lillard and Antetokounmpo are listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup, though Lopez and Portis are expected to return.

A major issue for the Bucks has been their defensive struggles. Against the Thunder, they allowed 38 or more points in each of the first three quarters, putting them in an insurmountable hole.

Hornets Seek Consistency Amid Struggles

Charlotte finds itself in a similar predicament, riding a five-game losing streak and nearing the end of a grueling nine-game homestand. Head coach Charles Lee is determined to find solutions to the team’s inconsistency.

“I definitely have to figure out how to keep these guys to be a little bit more consistent,” Lee said.

The Hornets have only managed one victory during this stretch, and Monday’s 124-114 loss to the NBA-worst Washington Wizards was another missed opportunity. Despite falling behind by 26 points in the first half and trailing 77-54 at halftime, there were some positives.

Miles Bridges recorded his first career triple-double, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. However, he emphasized the need for a stronger start.

“We just can’t wait until teams hit us in the mouth first,” Bridges said. “We’ve got to go out there and play from the jump, play with a lot more pride. … We’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve just got to go out there and play.”

Charlotte’s Injury Woes and Emerging Contributors

The Hornets have been dealing with a growing injury list, with Josh Okogie (hamstring) the latest addition. Star guard LaMelo Ball has been out for more than a week with an ankle injury, and his return timeline remains uncertain. In Ball’s absence, Charlotte has struggled to find a consistent rhythm.

One bright spot has been the performance of center Mark Williams. After a slow first half against Washington, where he managed only three points and three rebounds, Williams came alive in the second half, finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds.

“He’s definitely important. Mark is a great player for us,” Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. said. “Once we get everybody back, I feel like we could definitely use him more.”

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Recent Matchups and What to Expect

This will be the third meeting between the Bucks and Hornets this season. The first contest, played in Charlotte on November 16, saw the Hornets edge out a 115-114 victory. However, the Bucks responded a week later with a 125-119 win at home, despite a 50-point performance from LaMelo Ball. In that game, Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 32 points, while Lillard added 31.

Milwaukee’s depleted lineup on Monday yielded few highlights, though AJ Johnson had a career-high 13 points in 29 minutes. Rivers acknowledged the game as more of a recovery period for his team.

“We used this as a rest day for us,” Rivers said.

As both teams search for solutions to their ongoing struggles, Wednesday’s matchup offers a chance for the Bucks to regain their footing and for the Hornets to salvage something from their extended homestand.