Milwaukee Bucks vs Charlotte Hornets Preview- Friday Night NBA Action
The (33-19) Milwaukee Bucks take on the (10-40) Charlotte Hornets at home at the Fiserv Forum: the beer keg in downtown Milwaukee! The place should be rockin’.
The Bucks are on a back-to-back, having been rolled last night by the Minnesota Timberwolves (129-105). It was a loss that prompted NBA “guru” Bill Simmons to tweet that the Bucks needed to hit the panic button.
BUCKS PANIC TWEET
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 9, 2024
However, hope is on the way. The Bucks have looked to upgrade their defense and backup point guard position by adding Patrick Beverly. (“Pat Bev” will wear #21.)
The Bucks could use a win in the worst way.
Fans “in the know” are happy that Doc Rivers appears to have more of a process for managing the game and for leading the team. But they still have only won once under his tenure.
Charlotte is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. They traded three of their top players in the last two weeks: Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, and Terry Rozier.
Vegas has the Bucks as 14-point favorites with a 90% chance to win. Milwaukee continues to improve and it is not a surprise they are such a big favorite on the road.
This is the second time this season these two teams will play. Milwaukee won game one, in Charlotte, (130-99).
Related: Milwaukee Bucks Trade Targets-“Twas the Night Before the NBA Trade Deadline”
The Keys to a Milwaukee Bucks Win
Score over 120 points (Feels like a Magic Number)
The team is currently second in the NBA in scoring. (123.0 points per game)
However, the Bucks have averaged 107 points over their last three losses. They are just not generating enough offense right now; or at least as much as they were to start the season.
In this space we are still trying to figure out that “total game points” magic number. (Yes, we all get it, if you score more points then they do, you win!) Because the defense seems to be improving under Coach Rivers, the Bucks do not seem to need to score more than 120 points to be in a game.
Related: Is there a Doctor in the House? Should the Bucks try to Hire Doc Rivers to Coach?
Rebound the Basketball
Last season the Milwaukee Bucks were the NBA’s top rebounding team. (48.6 rebounds per game)
This year they are 11th (43.8 rebounds per game)
When you control the glass you can also control the tempo of the game. This team needs to do better and it starts with some basic fundamentals: box out your man and put your body in a position to get the rebound.
Defend the Ball
Much has been made about Milwaukee’s defense; especially when you compare it to last year’s team with Jrue Holiday.
That is turning out to be a true key metric for this team. Right now they are giving up 120 points a game. Last season they only gave up 112 points per game. That feels like a pretty big difference. (Check out this early season tweet.)
Milwaukee Bucks Defense so far :
– 6th Worst Defensive Rating
– 9th Worst Def.Rting in History
– 25th in Opponent's PPG
– 24th in DFG%
– 29th in Rebounds Per GameAnd still a 5-3 Record, imagine when they figure it out… pic.twitter.com/y6k67SK7Ql
— Bucks Muse (@BucksMuse) November 10, 2023
The Opponent: The Charlotte (“Bobcats”) Hornets
Brandon Miller appears to be the real deal. Accused of sneaking a gun into a bar that was used to kill someone, Miller has landed in Charlotte where he is averaging 16.5 points per game as a rookie. He plays (31 minutes a game) and does a good job of not turning the ball over.
Charlotte was a “seller” at the deadline. They moved Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington and Terry Rozier for younger players and picks. Terry Rozier was traded to the Heat a few weeks ago. P.J. Washington was traded to Dallas yesterday.
Charlotte has not been all that good to start the season. Their top scorer is LaMelo Ball (22.2 per game).
Their top rebounder is their former first round pick (2022) Mark Williams. The 2nd year player out of Duke is averaging 9 rebounds per game. When you pair Williams along with Brandon Miller it seems like a “youth movement” is afoot.
LaMelo Ball also leads the team in assists (8.6).
Miles Bridges should also play. Dealing with some off-court issues has kept him out for a large chunk of the season.
Things to tell your buddies as you are watching the game
- What is up with the Bucks and the number 21? Well, Pat Beverly will now wear the number many Bucks fans want “retired” to honor Jrue Holiday.
Bucks letting Pat Bev or anybody wear 21 isn’t right. Should be off limits at least informally.
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) February 9, 2024
- The Charlotte Hornets used to be the Charlotte Bobcats. Former owner George Shinn moved the team to New Orleans. Then the NBA put another team back in Charlotte in 2004. (The Bobcats). Finally in 2015 it seemed to be agreed upon that Charlotte would be the Hornets and New Orleans would be the Pelicans.
- The Bucks lead the all-time series 66-60.
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