Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Spectrum Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

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

Valuable 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

Important 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

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

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

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/21/17 SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Shin injured last game, is probable Friday vs Milwaukee
12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 20.2 points per game in 37.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%. Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this contest averaging 29.7 points per game while playing 38 minutes per night so far this season for the Bucks. He pulls down 10.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 21.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 5.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Dwight Howard averages 15.9 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 12.5 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 53%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 40% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 30th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.3 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the league. Milwaukee averages 105 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.41 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 38.5 rebounds per game and 22.2 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hornets surrender 106.4 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 20th with 43.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game this season. Charlotte is 16th in the league with 104.4 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 46.8 boards per game and 26th in assists per contest with 20.5. The Hornets are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 8th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. Milwaukee is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 106.8, and their offensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 18th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Charlotte

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