The Charlotte Hornets (11-22) and Milwaukee Bucks (14-20) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Bucks are 6-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread (Bucks -6), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. The Bucks are -245 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Hornets are +200 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hornets vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, January 2.
Hornets vs Bucks Prediction, Picks
- Hornets vs Bucks pick: Hornets +6 (-115)
My Bucks vs Hornets best bet is on Charlotte to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hornets vs Bucks Odds
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -115 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -105 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | -245 |
Hornets vs Bucks NBA Preview
Kon Knueppel will look for another standout performance in his home state when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
The Milwaukee native and Rookie of the Year contender already delivered one of his best games of the season against the Bucks back on November 14, when he poured in 32 points with three steals, three rebounds and three assists in a 147-134 overtime loss during NBA Cup play.
Knueppel was unavailable for Monday’s rematch in Charlotte, his first missed game at any level of his basketball career, and Milwaukee took advantage with a 123-113 win.
Bobby Portis led the way in that game with 25 points, while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 24 in just 25 minutes due to a restriction. Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball kept the Hornets competitive late, scoring 31 and 26 points, respectively.
That victory marked Milwaukee’s first back-to-back wins since late October, but the Bucks were unable to build momentum. They surrendered a 114-113 loss to Washington on New Year’s Eve in the final seconds, snapping hopes of their first three-game winning streak of the season.
Charlotte, meanwhile, also suffered a close loss on New Year’s Eve, falling 132-125 at home to Golden State.
The Hornets have dropped their last two games, but their offense has remained productive. Brandon Miller continued his strong stretch with 33 points against the Warriors, LaMelo Ball chipped in 27, and Knueppel returned from an ankle injury to post 20 points and eight assists.
Knueppel’s season continues to trend upward, as he recently passed Stephen Curry’s rookie NBA record for the most games with 20-plus points while maintaining a 50/40/90 shooting split.
On the injury front, Miles Bridges is listed as probable after missing Wednesday’s game with an ankle issue.
Ryan Kalkbrenner remains out, and Mason Plumlee will miss at least six weeks following groin surgery. Milwaukee’s report is mostly clean, with Giannis fully available and only Taurean Prince sidelined.
Hornets vs Bucks Prediction, Betting Analysis
This matchup fits perfectly into Evan Abrams’ “Small NBA Road Dogs Against Public” system. Charlotte enters as a modest road underdog, a spot where public bettors typically side with the home favorite, especially a marquee team like Milwaukee.
When the spread is short and the betting attention leans heavily toward the Bucks, the line often becomes inflated, undervaluing a capable visiting team.
The Hornets have multiple scoring options, a motivated rookie returning to his hometown, and recent performances that suggest they can keep pace offensively. With public sentiment favoring Milwaukee and the number staying manageable, this is a classic buy-low spot on the road dog.
Milwaukee has dominated the recent head-to-head history, winning 11 of the last 14 meetings and holding a chance to clinch the season series at home. Still, Charlotte has shown it can score with the Bucks and remain competitive even in losses.
The expectation isn’t necessarily a Charlotte win, but a competitive game that stays within the number.
Pick: Hornets +6 (-115)
