I like the Milwaukee Bucks getting what figures to be 8-10 points @ Charlotte. For the Hornets this is the first season that they are expected to make the playoffs. I don't like to play on teams that are not used to being heavy chalk. It's also a different mental approach that opponents will take this year as compared to last year when they were able to sneak up on some teams. This season their opponents will be ready.
With the addition of Lance Stephenson and the departure of Josh McRoberts, it might be tougher for Charlotte to move the ball. McRoberts was a willing passer. Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson, and Lance Stephenson are all good players, but they are usually one on one players and I think it may take time for them to find chemistry. Walker, Jefferson, and Stephenson all missed games in the preseason, limiting the amount of time they had to play together.. Head coach Steve Clifford: “This year we had no continuity at all with the lineups for our exhibition games. I don’t even know what the playing groups are. Last year they all knew who they would play with and what offensive sets we’d run when they were in. This year we’re not even close to any of that." http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/10/27/5271166/injuries-nag-charlotte-hornets.html
The Bucks have promising young players in Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Larry Sanders who was injured last year, but when healthy is one of the better defensive Centers in the league. He is especially important for this match-up so he can guard Al Jefferson, the Hornets go-to player. Jared Dudley and Jerryd Bayless were under the radar solid pick ups for this team, and Jason Kidd is in his second year coaching now. Put everything together and I don't think Charlotte should be laying big points to this Bucks team.
Miami -4 vs. Washington
Josh McRoberts is an important piece for Miami and he is out for this game so its not a big play but I like the spot for the Heat. Bradley Beal, Nene, Martell Webster, and Dejaun Blair are all out for the Wiz, so the Heat are actually the deeper team here. I don't think this line is representative of all these injuries Wash is dealing with right now. John Wall is the only real advantage the Wiz have here. I love Paul Pierce but he is in his upper 30's now and Deng always plays him tough.
This is a big game for Miami to start the Post Lebron era and I expect Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to play with a chip on their shoulder. Its also a big game/season for Eric Spoelstra. He didn't get much credit when the team played well with Lebron, and now is his time to prove he is an elite coach, and he is better than Randy Wittman. I'd like this play more if McRoberts was playing for Miami but I think they cover the short number in a statement game.