The Milwaukee Bucks had a rocky begin to the season, however they’ve largely righted the ship. Led by perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, a resurgent Damian Lillard, and a forged of gamers which were extremely environment friendly taking pictures the three, Milwaukee this yr has a borderline high 10 offense (presently eleventh) and the ninth ranked protection per 100 possessions. Whereas there’s nonetheless loads of season left, the Bucks do appear destined to rank no greater than 4th within the standings out East, thanks partly to the shocking yr Cleveland is having and the largely-expected success of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Although they received the NBA’s in-season match, the last word aim for a participant of Antetokounmpo’s caliber stays the Larry O’Brian trophy, they usually’re definitely a crew that nobody would need to see within the playoffs.
For the Spurs, a brutal January schedule has yielded simply 3 wins. They’ve struggled to search out any form of consistency, all too typically falling aside within the 2nd half of video games. It’s robust to remember at occasions that mainly not one of the gamers on the roster actually know something about taking part in successful basketball, and it’s positively been on show this month. Possibly a giant commerce earlier than the deadline shakes issues up and modifications their present trajectory, however what they really want is for Victor Wembanyama to play like one of the best participant on the court docket night time in and night time out.
San Antonio Spurs (20-24) vs Milwaukee Bucks (26-19)
January 31 2025 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: KENS | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Sidy Cissoko, concussion (questionable)
Bucks Accidents: Giannis Antetokounmpo, knee (possible), Khris Middleton, ankle (possible), Bobby Portis, private (OUT), AJ Inexperienced, quad (questionable)
What to observe for
Newly named All Star Victor Wembanyama was uncharacteristically timid on offense when these two golf equipment met earlier this month in Milwaukee. Wemby tried simply 10 photographs that sport in 33 minutes, his second lowest complete of the season, and made no journeys to the free throw line that sport both. Milwaukee possesses a formidable defensive backline with the mixture of Giannis and Brook Lopez, with Giannis particularly showing to take the match-up personally in that first assembly. Antetokounmpo possesses the uncommon mixture of size, top, and athleticism to actually guard Wemby out on the perimeter, in addition to contained in the 3-point line. Can Wemby match him tonight?
Damian Lillard has had a a lot stronger 2nd season in Milwaukee and is trying way more comfy taking part in subsequent to Antetokounmpo as effectively. At 34 years outdated, Lillard stays an offensive risk that’s greater than able to going off on any given night time. He’s taking pictures 38% from 3, up from the 35% that he shot final yr, and is averaging numbers throughout the board which are in line or higher in some instances together with his profession averages.
Chris Paul hasn’t scored greater than 13 factors in a sport since he poured in 18 in San Antonio’s final assembly with Milwaukee. It’s probably not reasonable to anticipate the practically 40-year outdated Paul to be the dominating pressure on offense that he as soon as was, but when he’s going to be getting vital minutes the Spurs want him to at the least be as environment friendly as potential.
Accidents seem to have taken away what was the one of the best of Khris Middleton. One of many heroes of Milwaukee’s run to the championship 4 years in the past, Middleton has struggled with accidents ever since. He’s come off the bench for Milwaukee for a lot of this season, showing in solely 21 video games and averaging roughly 23 minutes in these contests. He’s scored 0 factors in 2 of his final 3 video games, each losses for Milwaukee.
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