Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Gameday preview and injury report: Milwaukee Bucks eye third straight win versus skidding Charlotte Hornets
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The Bucks will be looking for a repeat performance against the Hornets after they beat the same Charlotte squad in their first meeting at the Spectrum Center last Dec. 4, 105-96.
Game preview
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play last time around, but his absence hardly mattered as Bobby Portis, Jordan Nwora, Brook Lopez, and Jevon Carter all scored in double digits and combined for 65 points to lead the Bucks to the nine-point win.
Averaging 32.7 points and 12.1 rebounds a game, Antetokounmpo will surely be the biggest thorn in the side for the Hornets. The 6-foot-11 forward is coming off a 30-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist performance in the Bucks’ 104-101 overtime win in Toronto on Tuesday night. It was the second time this season that Antetokounmpo registered a triple-double.
With 25 wins and 13 losses, the Bucks are seeking a victory that will tighten their grip on the second-seed in the Eastern Conference—Milwaukee heads into tonight's game tied with the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets will also be in action on Friday night as they travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans.
The Bucks have been dominant at home where they are 16-4 this season while the Hornets are on a three-game losing skid and are at the very bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 10-29 record. Charlotte has also dropped 15 of its first 20 road games thus far.
Injury report
Khris Middleton and George Hill will be out once again for the Bucks. Middleton (right knee) missed his 10th straight game in Milwaukee’s close win versus Toronto. Hill (non-COVID illness) also sat out for the fourth straight game on Tuesday night.
Kelly Oubre will be out for the Hornets. He is the team’s leading scorer with 20.2 points per game.
