Hornets vs. Bucks NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, Feb. 9 (Back Charlotte)
Both Charlotte and Milwaukee were active at Thursday’s trade deadline with Charlotte giving up Gordon Hayward (Oklahoma City) and PJ Washington (Dallas), getting four players and a first-round pick in return. Milwaukee acquired Patrick Beverley from Philadelphia, giving up Cam Payne and a second-round pick in 2027. The Bucks also gave up Robin Lopez and cash considerations to Sacramento.
Milwaukee’s slide since Doc Rivers became the head coach continued on Thursday in a 24-point loss to Minnesota. Now the Bucks are double-digit favorites against the rebuilding Hornets. Can they stop the bleeding?
Here’s the betting preview for Friday with a best bet.
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Hornets vs. Bucks odds, spread and total
Hornets vs. Bucks how to watch
- Date: Friday, Feb. 9
- Game time: 8 p.m. EST
- Venue: Fiserv Forum
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
- Hornets record: 10-40
- Bucks record: 33-19
Hornets vs. Bucks injury report
Charlotte Hornets
- Kyle Lowry (recently traded): questionable
- Seth Curry (recently traded): questionable
- Grant Williams (recently traded): questionable
- LaMelo Ball (ankle): out
Milwaukee Bucks
- Patrick Beverley (recently traded): questionable
- Damian Lillard (ankle): day-to-day
- Khris Middleton (ankle): questionable
Hornets vs. Bucks key players to watch
Hornets
Miles Bridges: With trade deadline rumors swirling, Brides exercised his trade veto power to stay in Charlotte. The former first-round pick is averaging 21.9 points per game this season and was on fire leading up to the deadline, turning in back-to-back 40-point performances in a pair of Hornets’ losses. He had 45 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in Wednesday’s 123-117 loss to Toronto.
Bucks
AJ Green: The rookie guard and Northern Iowa product has had a minor role this season, averaging 4.2 points per game. Green played just 11 minutes combined leading up to Sunday’s matchup against the Jazz. In the last three games, he’s played 57 minutes and was on fire from the perimeter in Thursday’s loss to Minnesota, going 7-of-8 from beyond the arc and scoring a career-high 27 points.
Hornets vs. Bucks prediction and pick
The Bucks are monster favorites to, at the very least, snap a three-game losing streak and will likely win just their second game since Rivers became the head coach. However, you’re asking a scrambling Milwaukee team still trying to find its footing in a new system to win by margin.
That would be a tall task if Milwaukee was at full strength. The fact is they’re not, with Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton missing time and both are up in the air for Friday’s matchup.
Charlotte’s roster is a turnstile at this point with trades and injuries, but the Hornets will still have Bridges and emerging rookie Brandon Miller on the floor, a duo that combines 38.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and have helped Charlotte cover in back-to-back games as an underdog.
That duo should lead Charlotte’s offense well against a Milwaukee defense that is No. 20th in defensive rating, No. 18 in defensive rebounding percentage and No. 24 in scoring (No. 23 at home). Take the points with Charlotte.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.