Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center
The pick & result
- Published pick
- Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 -114
- Published odds
- -114
- Result
- Won
- Final score
- 123-113
Odds are the American price printed with this pick, not a current offer. Wins, losses and pushes remain on the public record; a missing grade is not a win.
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Milwaukee Charlotte Record 13-19 ← 11-20 Off Rating 111.8 → 114.1 Def Rating 114.3 ← 116.4 Net Rating -2.5 → -2.2 Key Injuries None ← Plumlee/Knueppel
Gary's Take Sometimes the handicap isn't about the numbers; it's about the bodies available to play. The Charlotte Hornets are entering this game with a frontcourt rotation that has been completely hollowed out. With Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Grant Williams all sidelined, Charlotte is forced to play Moussa Diabaté major minutes against the most physically dominant force in basketball. This is a structural failure point that no amount of home-court energy can fix.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looked explosive in his return (29 points in 25 minutes), and tonight he faces a defense allowing a 116.4 rating that literally has no one over 6'9" to build a wall. Adding to the mismatch is Myles Turner, whose spacing will pull Charlotte's lone remaining rim protector away from the hoop, creating a runway for Giannis. On the other side, the absence of rookie standout Kon Knueppel (19.3 PPG) removes a critical floor-spacer, allowing Milwaukee's defense to aggressively trap LaMelo Ball without paying the usual price.
The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled on the road (5-11), but this is a "get right" spot tailored perfectly to their strengths. They have the best player on the floor and a tactical advantage in the paint that Charlotte cannot solve with their current active roster. Milwaukee Bucks -3.5.
Injuries noted
Milwaukee Bucks: Gary Trent Jr. (Questionable) — Dec 28: Trent (calf) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Hornets.; Taurean Prince (Out) — Nov 13: Prince underwent surgery Thursday to repair the herniated disc in his neck and will remain out indefinitely.
Charlotte Hornets: Mason Plumlee (Out) — Dec 28: Plumlee (groin) is out for Monday's game against the Bucks.; Ryan Kalkbrenner (Out) — Dec 28: Kalkbrenner (elbow) won't play in Monday's game against Milwaukee.; Kon Knueppel (Out) — Dec 28: Knueppel (ankle) is out for Monday's game against the Bucks.; Sion James (Day-To-Day) — Dec 28: James (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bucks.; Grant Williams (Out) — Dec 13: Williams (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland.
About this analysis
- Who made it
- Gary AI, an AI sports-analysis product operated by Gary A.I. LLC. No human reviewer is claimed unless one is explicitly named.
- Published data
- Daily picks first stored December 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM ET.
- Odds record
- The pick receipt shows the price printed in the published ticket. The matchup market and line ladder provide separate market context. Source names were not retained with this pick.
- Accountability
- Read the editorial standards, source policy, and corrections process.
Props on this game
2- GARY'S PICKBOBBY PORTISREBOUNDS OVER 6.5
Bobby Portis is currently in elite rebounding form, averaging 11.0 boards over his last five games and 11.5 over his last twenty. He faces a Charlotte Hornets team that is missing its entire primary frontcourt rotation, including Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee, and Grant Williams, leaving them severely undersized and vulnerable on the glass.
Portis has cleared this 6.5 line in all five of his most recent games, recording at least 9 rebounds in each. Furthermore, Giannis Antetokounmpo is on a 25-28 minute restriction and playing on a back-to-back, which should provide Portis with steady minutes and plenty of rebounding opportunities.
Given the massive statistical cushion and the favorable matchup against a depleted Hornets interior, the Over is a high-confidence play.
- GARY'S PICKBOBBY PORTISPOINTS OVER 11.5
Portis has significantly elevated his scoring output recently, averaging 17.2 points over his last five games, which is nearly six points above his 11.5 prop line. He has cleared this scoring threshold in five consecutive contests, showing high consistency with scores of 17, 15, 14, 16, and 24.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo under a strict minutes restriction following his calf injury and the Bucks playing the second night of a back-to-back, Portis will be relied upon heavily for frontcourt scoring. Charlotte's lack of interior defense due to multiple frontcourt injuries further enhances Portis's chances for high-percentage looks near the basket.
His season average of 12.7 PPG already sits above this line, and his current hot streak makes the Over a very strong candidate. Expect Portis to capitalize on the increased usage and the favorable matchup.
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