Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/22/2017

Friday, December 22, 2017

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Charlotte Hornets head to BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, December 22, 2017. The opening line for this game has Milwaukee as 5.5 point favorites.

The Hornets come into this game with an overall record of 11-20. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.0 as they are averaging 104.4 points per game while giving up 106.4 per contest. The Bucks have an overall mark of 16-13. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They are averaging 105.0 points per contest and giving up 105.4, which is a point differential of -0.4.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 12-17-2 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 13-17-1 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 12-13-4 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 18-11-0 against the over/under

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
10/16/17 F Jabari Parker Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard comes into this game averaging 15.9 points per contest while playing 30.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 12.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is 53%. Kemba Walker averages 21.2 points per contest in 35 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.9 assists per game and 3.6 rebounds per contest for Charlotte. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 29.7 points per contest while playing 38 minutes per game this season for the Bucks. He hauls in 10.6 rebounds per contest and has 4.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Khris Middleton averages 20.2 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 37.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.2 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 104.4 points per contest this year, which is 16th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 29th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They average 46.8 boards per contest and 20.5 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 13.4 per game. The Hornets allow 106.4 points per contest which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 7th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 23.1 assists per game which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee is 15th in the NBA with 105 points per contest this season. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.41. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 30th in the NBA in rebounding with 38.5 boards per contest and 18th in assists per game with 22.2. The Bucks are 29th in turnovers per contest with 13.3. The Bucks give up 105.4 points per game, which ranks them 16th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 40% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 22nd and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 21.9 dimes allowed per game and 10th with 42.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Bucks are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.8, and their defensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. Charlotte is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 6th in the league. The Bucks are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Hornets/Bucks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee -5.5

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