Bucks vs Hornets Preview: Why the December 29 Showdown Matters

The NBA calendar has a little gem for fans on December 29, 2025 – the Milwaukee Bucks are traveling to Charlotte’s Spectrum Center to take on the Hornets. At first glance it looks like another regular‑season matchup, but when you peel back the numbers, the injuries, and the betting lines, the game turns into a pivotal moment for both clubs that are struggling to stay above the .500 mark.

Both teams have hit a rough patch in the first half of the 2024‑25 season. The Bucks sit at 13‑19 while the Hornets are 11‑20, meaning each franchise has more losses than wins. With the calendar already past the midpoint of the schedule, every win carries extra weight. A loss could push a team deeper into the relegation‑like zone of the playoff picture, while a victory might ignite a short‑term surge that helps secure a play‑in spot later in the year.

Below we’ll break down the key storylines, the health reports, the statistical match‑ups, and how you can watch the game. We’ll also toss in a few betting insights and answer the most common questions fans ask about this particular contest.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains Milwaukee’s biggest weapon. After a brief calf issue earlier this month, the Greek Freak is back on the floor, and his ability to attack the rim and stretch the defense is still unmatched. If he can stay healthy for the full 48 minutes, the Bucks will have a legitimate chance to dominate the paint and draw fouls.

For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball is the obvious focal point. The young point guard has been orchestrating the Hornets’ offense with a mix of crafty passing and timely shooting. Ball’s 22‑point performance against Orlando last week proved he can shoulder the scoring load when the team needs it.

Both stars will likely log heavy minutes, but the real question is how their supporting casts will fill the gaps left by the injuries.

Bucks vs Hornets Preview: Why the December 29 Showdown Matters

Alex Antetokounmpo – out (unknown injury)
Pete Nance – out (rest)
Taurean Prince – sidelined after neck surgery
Mark Sears – out (illness)

The Bucks also have a questionable status for Gary Trent Jr. (left calf contusion). If Trent sits, Milwaukee loses a reliable three‑point shooter and a defender who can hold his own on the perimeter for extended stretches.

What this means: Milwaukee’s wing depth is thin. The team will likely lean on Khris Middleton and Julius Randle to shoulder scoring responsibilities, while Pat Connaughton may see a bump in minutes as a defensive spark off the bench.

Ryan Kalkbrenner – left elbow sprain
Kon Knueppel – right ankle sprain
Mason Plumlee – right groin strain
Antonio Reeves, KJ Simpson, Grant Williams – out (various injuries, including right knee surgery for Williams)
Sion James – questionable (illness)

The Hornets have trimmed their frontcourt to essentially Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, both of whom posted double‑digit rebounds in the most recent win. With the big men out, Charlotte will lean on Bridges to guard multiple positions and Diabate to protect the rim.

What this means: Charlotte’s bench will be forced to contribute more in the back‑court. Players like Nick Richards and Jaden Springer could see a bigger role, especially on the defensive end.

Bucks: 112.7 points per game (near the league’s low‑end), shooting 48.5 % from the floor. Their rebounding average sits at 40.5, which is among the bottom‑five teams.
Hornets: Allow opponents to shoot 48.6 %. They rebound at 44.6, giving them a modest edge in second‑chance opportunities.

The data tells a clear story: the Bucks have a decent shooting percentage but struggle to generate extra possessions, while the Hornets are decent at pulling down boards but give up a lot of efficient scoring.

Practical example: In a recent matchup against Chicago, Milwaukee’s 112‑103 win hinged on Giannis converting second‑chance points in the paint. If Charlotte can dominate the glass, those easy buckets could evaporate, forcing the Bucks to rely more heavily on perimeter shooting—something that could be compromised if Gary Trent Jr. is out.

Tip‑off: 7:00 PM ET at Spectrum Center, Charlotte
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Extra (South), FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, and local affiliate WAXN
Streaming: NBA League Pass, FuboTV (both carry the FanDuel channels)
Radio: Local team radio broadcasts are also available for fans who prefer the audio feed.

If you’re traveling, most arena seats will have a small screen showing live stats—great for tracking rebounds and shooting percentages in real time.

Point Spread: Bucks favored by 3–3.5 points on the road.
Total (Over/Under): Set at 227.5.
Moneyline: Bucks are slight favorites, but the market leans slightly toward Charlotte due to public perception of the Bucks’ road struggles.

Why the spread is narrow: Milwaukee’s offense can put up points, but their away record this season shows they often get caught in close games. Charlotte’s recent high‑scoring outings suggest they can keep the game within a few points, especially if they exploit Milwaukee’s rebounding weakness.

Smart pick suggestion: A Bucks win by a narrow margin (e.g., 117–114) could be a solid play, with Charlotte covering the spread if Gary Trent Jr. sits. For the total, consider the over if the game turns into a back‑and‑forth battle; both teams have the firepower to breach the 227‑point line when the pace quickens.

If Milwaukee wins: A victory would lift them to 14‑19, keeping them within striking distance of a play‑in seed. It would also give Giannis a confidence boost heading into a stretch of back‑to‑back road games in January.
If Charlotte wins: The Hornets would climb to 12‑20, narrowing the gap with the Eastern Conference’s lower‑seeded teams and potentially sparking a mini‑run that could shuffle the play‑in line‑up.

Both clubs need a win to stay relevant, but the stakes feel a tad higher for Charlotte because they are playing at home and can capitalize on crowd energy.

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Q1: How likely is Giannis to play the full 48 minutes?
A: Giannis is known for logging heavy minutes when healthy. With the Bucks missing several wing players, the coaching staff will probably keep him on the floor as long as his calf feels good. Expect at least 38–40 minutes, with a chance for a full game if the matchup stays tight.

Q2: Can Miles Bridges guard Giannis in the paint?
A: Bridges is versatile and has the length to contest shots, but guarding a player of Giannis’s size and athleticism is a tall order. Expect Bridges to try to limit Giannis’s second‑chance opportunities and force him to the perimeter, where the Bucks’ shooters can capitalize.

Q3: Will the Hornets’ lack of frontcourt depth affect their rebounding?
A: Yes. With Plumlee, Kalkbrenner, and Knueppel out, Charlotte will rely heavily on Diabate and Bridges for rebounds. The Bucks may target the paint with more put‑backs, so the Hornets must be aggressive on the offensive glass to offset this disadvantage.

Q4: How does the total of 227.5 points compare to each team’s season average?
A: Milwaukee averages around 112.7 points, while Charlotte scores roughly 110 per game. Combined, the expected total is close to 222–223. The set line is slightly higher, reflecting the recent high‑scoring trend in Charlotte’s games and the possibility of overtime if the contest stays tight.

The Bucks‑Hornets showdown on December 29 is more than a mid‑season tick‑box—it’s a litmus test for two teams fighting to stay afloat in a competitive Eastern Conference. Milwaukee hopes to lean on Giannis and a resurgent perimeter attack, while Charlotte looks to ride LaMelo Ball’s playmaking and Miles Bridges’s two‑way effort.

Injuries will shape the rotations, but basketball is a game of adjustments. The team that adapts faster, controls the boards, and capitalizes on second‑chance points is likely to edge out the other in what could be a nail‑biter.

Whether you’re a die‑hard fan, a casual viewer, or a bettor looking for an edge, this matchup offers plenty of intrigue. Turn on your preferred streaming service, keep an eye on the injury updates right before tip‑off, and enjoy a night of high‑stakes NBA action at the Spectrum Center.