Milwaukee Bucks Hoping To Tie Season Series With Hornets

After going winless on their three game road trip, the Milwaukee Bucks hope that the return home will translate to a win. Standing in their way will be the Charlotte Hornets.

It’s good to be home. At least, I hope it is. Road games have been one of the larger issues for this Milwaukee Bucks team this season. Providing perhaps just a little solace is the fact that all three of the teams from the recent road trip, (Detroit, Cleveland and Atlanta), are most likely playoff bound.

Welcoming the Bucks home will be one of the hottest teams since February 1st, the Charlotte Hornets, who have gone 18-6 over that span.

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Like the Bucks, the Hornets also played and lost on Friday night. The Hornets almost had an incredible come from behind win over the Pistons on Friday, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the huge deficit that they accumulated in the first three quarters.

In that loss to the Pistons, Kemba Walker was one of the few Hornets that could get his shot to fall, finishing with 29 points. Unsurprisingly, the Bucks have had their troubles with Kemba, as he’s averaging better than 19 points in the three games against the Bucks this season. Jerryd Bayless should have ample opportunity to put up some good numbers as Kemba isn’t a strong perimeter defender.

In their last meeting, the first game after the All-Star Break, the Hornets pulled out a three point win. Turnovers played a huge part in that loss. While the Hornets didn’t take great care of the ball, (they had 17 turnovers), the Bucks were worse.

Khris Middleton (6 turnovers) and Jabari Parker (5 turnovers) were the main culprits, as they accounted for half of the team’s 22 turnovers.

Nov 29, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 87-82. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s reasonable to expect that Kemba is going to get his points and really that will be fine as long as the Bucks keep the supporting cast in check. That’s not something they were able to do in the last game as Cody Zeller went off for 23 points and eight rebounds.

Since that game, Greg Monroe has reclaimed his starting center job and John Henson has come off of the bench with Miles Plumlee.

In Friday night’s loss to the Hawks, Jabari had a team-high 19 points. The aggression that he showed on the offensive end was a welcome sight and hopefully not an aberration. His defense, though, was bad. Really bad, as he finished the game with a -21.

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Maybe Jason Kidd was trying to cover up for his defensive shortcomings by leaving him in with Henson and Plumlee, which makes sense in theory. It is worth noting, however, that that lineup, (which also included Tyler Ennis and Jared Cunningham), still finished at a -9.

The Bucks are not making the playoffs this year. As long as the young players develop, specifically Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari, then that’s not a bad thing.

Even if there are some major changes to this team in the offseason, (I think there will be), Jason Kidd has a chance to feature and improve on the foundation of his young studs. For this game, I think the Hornets win a close one.

Next: Timeout with Ti & Shea Serrano

BTBP Predictions

Mike Helm: Hornets by 3

Adam McGee: Hornets by 8

Jordan Treske: Hornets by 10

Ti Windich: Hornets by 2

Riley Feldmann: Bucks by 10

Season Leaderboard To Date (Record and Points Differential)

Mike Helm: (50-23) 712 points

Jordan Treske: (44-29) 812 points

Adam McGee: (42-31) 733 points

Ti Windisch: (42-31) 754 Points

Riley Feldmann: (2-0) 6 points

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Milwaukee Bucks Return Home To Host The Hornets

By Michael Helm | Mar 26, 2016

After going winless on their three game road trip, the Milwaukee Bucks hope that the return home will translate to a win. Standing in their way will be the Charlotte Hornets.

More from Behind the Buck Pass