Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

Damian Lillard Idle as Bucks Streak into Charlotte

As the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon, both teams are trying to find some consistency amid slow starts to their seasons. The Bucks will be looking to extend their winning streak without their star guard Damian Lillard, while the Hornets hope to bounce back after a disappointing loss.

The Bucks’ star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off a monster 59-point performance in Wednesday’s 127-120 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons. He filled up the stat sheet with 14 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in that victory, leading Milwaukee to its first consecutive wins this season.

“It’s right up there. I’ve seen a lot of great games,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said about Antetokounmpo’s performance. “But as a coach, sometimes you’re thinking, ‘We’ve got to figure out how to get someone else involved.’ Then after the game, you realize how special that is.”

The Bucks are still trying to figure out how to mesh their new lineup, especially with Lillard missing the last two games due to concussion protocol. The team announced that he will remain out for Saturday’s game as well. Lillard has been averaging 26 points and 6.6 assists per game, making his absence a significant blow for Milwaukee.

Role Players Stepping Up for the Bucks

In Lillard’s absence, Milwaukee might look to Gary Trent Jr. to step up. Trent, who had been struggling from beyond the arc, went 3-for-6 from three-point range against Detroit after a rough five-game stretch where he made just 1-of-18 attempts from deep.

“Gary can shoot, and I kept saying that it’s going to come at some point,” Rivers said. “He did need to see the ball go in, period.”

The Bucks are also dealing with injury concerns for Bobby Portis Jr., who has been listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game due to an elbow injury. Portis is averaging 12.9 points per game this season.

Hornets Relying on LaMelo Ball’s Offensive Output

On the other side, the Hornets are led by LaMelo Ball, who has been scoring at an impressive clip. Despite a tough 114-89 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Ball managed to score 35 points. He’s currently averaging 29.9 points per game, leading Charlotte in scoring in all but two games this season.

However, Ball’s efforts have not been enough to lift the struggling Hornets, who have lost two straight games. The team has been dealing with turnover issues, as evidenced by a season-high 22 turnovers in the loss to Orlando.

“A couple of the turnovers, I would say, we saw the right play and just couldn’t execute,” Hornets coach Charles Lee explained. “It’s actually encouraging for me because I know as we continue to go through this season, we’re going to keep getting better and better.”

Lineup Adjustments and Defensive Strategies

Charlotte made some adjustments in their lineup against Orlando, with forward Grant Williams starting in place of Tidjane Salaun. The Hornets also welcomed back Tre Mann, who missed the previous game due to injury.

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The Bucks, meanwhile, have been experimenting defensively. Against Detroit, they deployed a zone defense that disrupted the Pistons’ offensive rhythm.

“It just took them off stride a little bit,” Rivers said of the zone defense.

What to Watch For

Both teams are looking to improve on their early-season records, as the Bucks and Hornets have each won just four games so far. With Lillard sidelined, Milwaukee will rely heavily on Antetokounmpo to carry the load, while the Hornets will need another strong performance from Ball to have a shot at pulling off an upset.

The Bucks have lost five straight road games, making this matchup in Charlotte an opportunity for them to get back on track. For the Hornets, solving the Bucks’ defense and limiting turnovers will be key to ending their two-game skid.

Will Giannis continue his dominant play, or will LaMelo Ball and the Hornets find a way to snap their losing streak? Saturday’s NBA Cup clash should provide answers.