The Charlotte Hornets are set to face a daunting task as they travel to Milwaukee to take on the formidable Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. With a season record of 10-40, the struggling Hornets find themselves in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Bucks are holding strong in third place with a solid record of 33-19.

In their previous encounter earlier this season, the Hornets fell to the Bucks by a significant margin, with the game ending in a 130-99 victory for Milwaukee. This result highlights the uphill battle that Charlotte will face in this upcoming match.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, they arrive in Milwaukee on the back of a nine-game losing streak, their latest defeat coming at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, with a final score of 117-123. The team has undergone some changes during the trade deadline, most notably sending Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for additional roster depth.

Offensively, the Charlotte Hornets have struggled this season, ranking third to last in scoring, averaging just 108.7 points per game. Their field goal shooting percentage of 45.9% is also below average. Defensively, they have allowed an alarming average of 120.4 points per game.

To make matters worse, the Hornets will be without their star player, LaMelo Ball, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury. Ball has been instrumental for the team, leading in scoring with an average of 23.9 points per game.

On the other hand, the Milwaukee Bucks are coming off a three-game losing streak, most recently falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 105-129. However, they did not make any major trades during the deadline, apart from Robin Lopez heading to the Kings in exchange for cash, and acquiring Patrick Beverley from the 76ers.

Offensively, the Bucks have been formidable, ranked second overall in scoring with an average of 123 points per game. Their shooting percentage is also impressive, placing them fourth in the league. However, their defense has been less consistent, allowing an average of 120 points per game.

In their past five encounters, the Bucks have emerged victorious in four games against the Hornets. With their superior offense and a limited offensive threat from the Hornets, it is expected that the Bucks will maintain their dominance in this matchup.

The spread for this game stands at -14.5 in favor of the Bucks. Considering their consistent offensive performance and the Hornets' struggles, it is likely that Milwaukee will cover this spread comfortably.

Additionally, with the pace of play in Milwaukee's recent matches slowing down, it is doubtful that the Hornets will be able to match their pace. As a result, taking the under at 232 seems like a prudent decision for bettors.

In conclusion, the Charlotte Hornets face an uphill battle as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. With their offensive struggles and the absence of LaMelo Ball, the odds are stacked against them. Meanwhile, the Bucks aim to bounce back from their recent losses and continue their dominance over the Hornets.