© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Skidding teams collide as the Milwaukee Bucks face the Charlotte Hornets
The Milwaukee Bucks try to stop a season-high three-game losing streak when they play the back end of a back-to-back against the new-look Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
Milwaukee lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, 105-129, which marked the first time that the Bucks lost three straight games this season. The one-sided loss also spoiled the home debut of coach Doc Rivers.
The Bucks have gone 1-5 under Rivers, who is hoping that they will have their key pieces back after playing short-handed against the Wolves. Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton sat out against Minnesota due to sprained ankles.
Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in the final 16 minutes of the loss after the Bucks fell behind by as many as 28 points and couldn’t make a game out of it. Giannis finished the contest with only 17 points.
The Bucks are third in the Eastern Conference with a 33-19 record. They dominated the Hornets in their first meeting on November 17th, 130-99. Charlotte is on a nine-game losing streak and is in 13th spot in the East with a 10-40 record.
Trade deadline deals
Both Milwaukee and Charlotte brought in new faces to beat the trade deadline. The Bucks acquired Patrick Beverley from the Philadelphia Sixers in exchange for Cam Payne. They also traded Robin Lopez to the Sacramento Kings for cash.
Charlotte traded Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder and got Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, and two second-round picks. The Hornets also sent PJ Washington and two second-round picks to the Dallas Mavericks for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first-round pick.
Injury report
It is highly unlikely that Beverley will be available against the Hornets. Lillard and Middleton are listed as day-to-day.
The Hornets have no players on the injured list but it remains doubtful that their new acquisitions will be suiting up against the Bucks.
