Hornets vs. Bucks prediction and odds for Tuesday, January 31 (Milwaukee dominates at home)

The Milwaukee Bucks are starting to put things together with Khris Middleton back in the lineup, winning four straight games to move back into the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have thrived at home this season, going 20-5 straight up and they blew out the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

Now, they find themselves as double-digit home favorites again on Monday when they host the Charlotte Hornets. LaMelo Ball and the Hornets upset the Miami Heat on Sunday, but this is going to be a tougher matchup on the road, where Charlotte is just 8-20 straight up this season.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is still out for Charlotte, while the Bucks won’t have Bobby Portis (knee) in this game.

Here’s how I’m betting on this matchup as well as the latest odds:

Hornets vs. Bucks odds, spread and total

Hornets vs. Bucks prediction and pick

The Hornets are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, and they don’t cover the spread at a high rate, going just 22-27-2 ATS.

That’s problematic when you’re facing a Bucks team that is as dominant as they come as home favorites, going 17-8 against the spread.

Even though the Hornets were a high-powered offense last season, they have taken a major step back in the 2022-23 season, ranking 29th in the league in offensive rating.

The Bucks are a far superior team with Middleton in the lineup this season, going 8-3 straight up and winning three of their four games since he returned by double digits.

The Hornets lack the interior defense to slow down Antetokounmpo, and they’ve also struggled to string multiple wins together, going 5-9 ATS following a victory this season.

I’ll lay the points with a surging Milwaukee team at home.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.