Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks Had a rocky start to the season, but they have largely corrected the ship. Led by the multi -year MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, a resurrected Damian Lillard and a role crew of players who have been incredibly effective in shooting 3, Milwaukee this year, has a borderline top 10 -overpower (currently 11th) and the 9 . 100 possessions. While there is still a lot of season left, Bucks definitely seems to rank higher than 4. In the position out east, partly thanks to the surprising year of Cleveland, and the largely expected success for it Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Although they won the NBA’s tournament in the season, the ultimate goal of a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber Larry O’Brian Trophy remains and they are definitely a team that no one will see in the playoffs.

For the spurs, a brutal January plan has given only 3 wins. They have struggled to find any kind of consistency, all too often falling apart in 2nd half of games. It’s hard to remember at times that virtually none of the players on the schedule really know anything about playing winning basketball, and it has definitely been on display this month. Maybe a big deal before the deadline shakes things up and changes their current track, but what they really need is that Victor Wembanyama plays as the best player in the court evening in and evening.

San Antonio Spurs (20-24) against Milwaukee Bucks (26-19)

31 January 2025 | 19:00 ct

See: Kens | Hear: Woai (1200 AM)

Spurs damage: SIDY CISSOKO, CONSULTURE (Question)

Bucks damage: Giannis Antetokounmpo, knee (probable), khris middleton, ankle (probable), bobby portis, personal (out), aj green, quad (questionable)

What to look at

• Recently named All Star Victor Wembanyama was uncharacteristic cloud with a violation when these two clubs met earlier this month in Milwaukee. Wemby only tried 10 shots that game in 33 minutes, his second lowest total of the season, nor did no trips to the free throwing line that game. Milwaukee possesses a formidable defensive backline with the combination of Giannis and Brook Lopez, where Giannis especially seems to take match-up personally at the first meeting. Antetokounmpo possesses the rare combination of length, height and athletics to really protect Wemby out on the perimeter as well as inside the 3-point line. Can Wemby match him tonight?

• Damian Lillard has had a much stronger 2nd season in Milwaukee and also looks much more comfortable next to Antetokounmpo. At 34 years old, Lillard remains an offensive threat that is more than able to get off on a given night. He shoots 38% from 3, up from the 35% he shot last year, and is on average figures everywhere, which is in line or better in some cases with his careers average.

• Chris Paul has not scored more than 13 points in a game since he poured in 18 in San Antonio’s last meeting with Milwaukee. It is not really realistic to expect that almost 40-year-old Paul is the dominant force of offense he once was, but if he gets significant minutes, Spurs need him to at least be as effective as possible.
• Injuries appear to have removed what was the best of Khris Middleton. One of the heroes of Milwaukee’s race for the championship 4 years ago, Middleton has been struggling with injuries ever since. He has come from the bench for Milwaukee for large parts of this season, appearing only in 21 games and on average approx. 23 minutes in these competitions. He has scored 0 points in 2 of his last 3 games, both losses for Milwaukee.

For Bucks -Fans’s perspective, you can visit Bryg Hoop.

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