Charlotte Hornets @ Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview

Hornets (10-29) and Bucks (25-13) meet tonight for the second time this season

Author:
James Plowright
Jan 6, 2023 9:58 AM EST

In this story:

Charlotte Hornets

Milwaukee Bucks

Injury Report

Bucks: OUT Khris Middleton (Knee) PROBABLE Giannis (Knee), Jrue Holiday (Illness), MarJon Beauchamp (Thigh), George Hill (Illness)

Hornets: OUT Oubre (LT Hand Surgery) Doubtful Gordon Hayward (LT Hamstring Strain)

Game Preview

Giannis comes into tonight's match-up averaging a cool 39pts 15reb 6ast in his last seven games, he heard the Luka/Jokic MVP buzz and is on an absolute charge. If Charlotte want any hope of being competitive, they need to try and make Giannis as inefficient as possible. Expect Washington to get the first assignment, with McDaniels and JT Thor also have the opportunity to guard him. Expect a lot of doubles on post ups, digs on drives and open 3s as Charlotte crowd the paint in an effort to stop him.

LaMelo has a tough match-up against Jrue Holiday who looks set to return after a bout of illness. Jrue is arguably the best on-ball defender in the NBA, he will take great pride in trying to slow LaMelo down. Even if LaMelo can get past Jrue, he then needs to deal with Lopez at the rim, so I expect him to try and operate more in the mid-range tonight.

Overall, the Bucks are heavy favorites despite only being 3-2 over their last five games. Over that time they have missed some players through injury, most of whom are expected to return for Charlotte. The Hornets are 1-4 over their last five with their sole win coming against a banged up OKC team. After being embarrassed by Ja Morant's and the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, they will hopefully come out with renewed energy to take down a Bucks team does have recent unexpected losses to Chicago and Washington recently.

Key Matchup: Brook Lopez vs Hornets Guards

I know what your thinking, yes Giannis is a pretty big problem. However, A big issue against Memphis on Wednesday evening was poor decision making at the rim vs good rim protectors in Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. Now with the Bucks the Hornets have to deal with the favorite for DPOTY in Lopez who had a season high 6 blocks vs Charlotte last time out along with hitting 3/5 from deep.

For Charlotte to have any hope they're going to have to find a way to score on the inside vs this Bucks defense. Drive and kicks, drawing fouls, getting out in transition, these are the areas Rozier, Melo and Smith Jr need to get right.

Starting Lineups: