The Milwaukee Bucks appeared to be motoring along quite nicely after the all-star break, winning seven of eight and climbing to within three games in the loss column of the New York Knicks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
But on Saturday, they hit a gravel patch and have spun out to three straight losses and are just a game ahead of Detroit for the No. 6 playoff spot.
It’s a familiar story for the Bucks (36-28), as they ripped off nine of 11 from Jan. 6-27 to get within striking distance of the Knicks, only to go 2-6 from Jan. 28-Feb. 10 to help Indiana and Detroit get back in the race.
Milwaukee will try to keep this current stretch from reaching four straight losses, which it has done twice this season, when they host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Fiserv Forum.
The Lakers (40-23) come in having won 8 of their last 10 – but those two losses have come in their last two games after LeBron James strained a groin in Boston on Saturday. Luka Dončić is playing well, but the already undersized Lakers are now not only missing James, but 7-foot center Jaxson Hayes (knee) and 6-8 forward Rui Hachimura (knee).
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Is Giannis playing?
The Bucks’ star is probable to play as the team continues to manage his minutes after he strained a left calf on Feb. 5. Antetokounmpo has only recently gotten to the 34-minute mark consistently.
LeBron James is out for the Lakers
The league’s all-time leading scorer is not with the team, as he headed back to Los Angeles for treatment on a strained right groin. James strained his groin in the Lakers’ loss to the Boston Celtics on March 8, which the Lakers eventually lost.
What time is the Bucks game?
It is an early tip time tonight, scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
What channel are the Bucks on?
The game will be simulcast nationally on TNT/truTV/Max with Brian Anderson, Reggie Miller and Jared Greenberg on the call.
Bucks injury report
- Bobby Portis Jr., out (league suspension)
- Tyler Smith, out (back spasms)
- Chris Livingston, available (non-COVID illness)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, available (left calf strain)
- Damian Lillard, available (right groin soreness)
Bucks starters
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Taurean Prince
- Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Lakers odds, over/under
Milwaukee is a 6.5-point favorite over Los Angeles, with the over/under set at 224.5 points.
