Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (left hamstring strain) has been downgraded to questionable for Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Kelly Oubre Jr. (Left Hand Surgery) will remain the same indefinitely.
Oubre is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. Entering tonight’s interconference showdown, Charlotte is on a three-game skid and has lost seven of its last 10 games.
Citing two NBA betting sites, the Hornets have the fifth-lowest odds to win the championship. However, sportsbooks are giving Milwaukee the second-best odds behind the Boston Celtics.
Damage modification: @hornets In MIL 1/6:
Gordon Hayward (L Hamstring Soreness) is questionable.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (L Hand Surgery) is out
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) January 5, 2023
Hayward has missed 18 games this season. In 21 starts, the 13-year veteran is averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He is shooting 42.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc.
On October 21, in the Hornets’ 124–112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the wing scored a game-high 26 points in 38 minutes. He finished 12 of 19 (63.2%) shooting from the floor and knocked down one 3-pointer.
Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (left hamstring strain) is listed as questionable against the Bucks on Friday.
Thirty-nine games into the 2022-23 season, Charlotte is 10-29 and in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets are tied with the Houston Rockets for the worst record.
Furthermore, the Hornets are averaging 111.3 points per game, ranking 25th overall. Their offensive efficiency rating (1.040) ranks 30th. Not to mention, Charlotte is allowing 118.4 points per contest, which ranks 28th.
On the Bucks injury report, Khris Middleton (right knee soreness) is out indefinitely. George Hill (illness), Jrue Holiday (illness), Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee soreness), Joe Ingles (conditioning) and Marjon Beauchamp (thigh strain) are all listed as probable.
#Br They submitted their injury report to the Hornets tomorrow night.
Possible:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee pain)
Juru Holliday (Non-Covid Illness)
MarJon Beauchamp (thigh strain)
George Hill (non-covid illness)get out
Chris Middleton (right knee pain)– Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) January 5, 2023
In the season opener on December 22nd, the Bucks beat Charlotte 105-96. Bobby Portis scored a team-high 20 points against Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo was not for this tournament.
Similarly, Charlotte is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 matchups against Milwaukee. The Hornets are 4-9 in their last 13 meetings against the Bucks, though. And the team is 3-15 in its previous 18 home games.
To add to the aforementioned betting trends, the over is 8-1 in Bucs last 9 home games against Charlotte. They are 9-3 in their last 12 games against Southeast Division opponents. Milwaukee is 5-5 in its last 10 contests and is on back-to-back wins.
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, Milwaukee has a 71.9% chance of beating the Hornets at home. Sportsbooks show the Bucks as heavy 10-point favorites.
