Milwaukee Bucks out to end four-game skid against Charlotte Hornets

4 days ago 48

CHARLOTTE – The Milwaukee Bucks will look for improved energy and a desired result when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Feb 5 (Feb 6, Singapore time).

After losing 125-96 on Feb 3 in a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Bucks go from playing one of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) best teams to one of the league’s worst.

They used a makeshift line-up in the loss at Oklahoma City, with what coach Doc Rivers referred to as a fatigued team. Milwaukee’s losing streak reached four games as a result.

“My instincts told me to fly them directly to Charlotte (on Monday),” Rivers said of several starters who did not play. “But that’s a bad look and so I didn’t do that. And didn’t want to waste the owners’ money on fines.”

The Bucks had a five-game string of 30 or more points from Giannis Antetokounmpo end when he sat out against the Thunder with what was listed as right patella tendinopathy. Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez also were out with injuries, while Bobby Portis Jr. did not play because of personal reasons.

Antetokounmpo and Lillard are listed as questionable for Charlotte, while Lopez and Portis are expected to play.

The biggest issue for Milwaukee came on defence when they surrendered 38 or more points in each of the first three quarters. Their unusual line-up against Oklahoma City also yielded few highlights, although AJ Johnson racked up a career-best 13 points in 29 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Hornets are on a five-game losing streak and have just two games left on a nine-game homestand. They have won just once during the stretch so far.

If there was a bright spot for Charlotte in their 124-114 loss to the NBA-worst Washington Wizards on Feb 3, it came with the first career triple-double for forward Miles Bridges, who had 24 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Charlotte fell behind by 26 points in the first half and trailed 77-54 at the break against the Wizards.

“We just can’t wait until teams hit us in the mouth first,” Bridges said. “We’ve got to go out there and play from the jump, play with a lot more pride. We’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve just got to go out there and play.”

Milwaukee lost 115-114 on their first trip to Charlotte this season on Nov 16.

In a rematch a week later, the Bucks prevailed 125-119 at home despite 50 points from LaMelo Ball. Antetokounmpo had 32 points and Lillard added 31 for Milwaukee in that second mee...

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