PREVIEW: The Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks meet Friday with tipoff from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee set for 8 p.m. ET. The Hornets rank fifth in three-point attempt frequency while allowing opponents quality three-point looks from distance, a defensive vulnerability that ranks 30th in the league. Milwaukee counters with efficient three-point shooting ranked second and strong rim defense ranked sixth, though the Bucks struggle with offensive rebounding that ranks 29th. The Bucks have won the last two matchups against Charlotte, including a 147-134 overtime victory at home and a 123-113 win on the road. The Hornets have been exceptional offensively over their last five games, ranking second in offensive rating while leading the league with 18.6 made three-pointers at 43 percent, led by LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and rookie sensation Kon Knueppel. However, Charlotte's high turnover rate ranks 25th league-wide, and their inefficient rim attacks rank 28th, areas where Milwaukee's defensive discipline could exploit weaknesses. The Bucks have shown defensive improvement recently, ranking sixth in defensive rating over their last five games with strong paint defense that limits opponents to 44.8 points inside. The three-point battle will be critical, as opponents of Charlotte convert 38.8 percent from deep—the highest in the league—while Milwaukee has shot 40 percent, 58.8 percent, and 47.1 percent from three in their previous matchups this season.