Milwaukee Bucks vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

The Milwaukee Bucks have yet to hit their stride this season, but they are now aiming for a third straight win after outlasting the Pistons in a 127-120 overtime home win on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a season-high 59 points with 14 rebounds and seven assists on 21 of 34 shooting, Brook Lopez added 29 points with eight rebounds and five blocks while Taurean Prince chipped in with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. As a team, the Bucks shot 47 percent from the field and 15 of 35 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and had to claw their way back from an early 18-point deficit before they opened the overtime period on a decisive 8-0 run to cap off the impressive comeback win. 

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been in poor form as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting routed by the shorthanded Magic in a 114-89 road defeat on Tuesday. LaMelo Ball led the team with 35 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, Grant Williams added 15 points while Moussa Diabete chipped in with 12 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. As a team, the Hornets shot just 40 percent from the field and 13 of 38 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Magic early on, scoring just 18 points in the second quarter to trail by 11 points going into halftime, before they got blown out in the second half. Brandon Miller had a rough game as he scored just eight points on three of 18 shooting from the field and one of 11 from the 3-point line. 

The Bucks are still missing a few key players Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, and Damian Lillard, while the Hornets don’t have a single player listed on the injury report. The Bucks have been hit hard by injuries so far this season, but fortunately for them, they have a player like Antetokoummpo who can carry the team like we saw on Wednesday. In contrast, the Hornets have yet to sustain any sort of a run despite being fully healthy, but a win here would do wonders for their confidence. This is a game I would rather stay away from, but if I had to choose, I would rather lean towards the Bucks as I think Giannis is about to have another huge game.