Bucks look for their first three-game winning streak of the season
The Milwaukee Bucks are still working their way out of a 2-8 start, but have won their last two games and will look to make it three as they head on the road for a tilt with the Charlotte Hornets. Milwaukee will be getting their first look at Charlotte after the Bucks swept the season series (4-0) last year, winning by an average of 29.3 points per game, including three wins by 31 or more points.
Where We’re At
The Bucks are coming off their first consecutive victories of the season, taking down the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday and then the Detroit Pistons in overtime on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up the second-best scoring night of his career with 59 points and pulled out all of his tricks, including a three-pointer and going 16/17 from the free throw line. While it was a bit of a carry job for The Greek Freak in the first half, some of the role players came alive in the second half and overtime. The struggling Gary Trent Jr. hit three shots from beyond the arc, Taurean Prince had twelve points, Brook Lopez had nineteen points and four blocks, and super-utility man Andre Jackson Jr had four points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Charlotte comes in on the opposite end of where Milwaukee has been, losing their last two games to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. After falling behind by three in the late stages against Philly, LaMelo Ball hit a game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime. Despite those efforts, rookie Jared McCain went off for 27 points and helped seal the win. Tuesday’s loss to the Orlando Magic was an absolute clunker for the Hornets, being blown out by 25 points as Ball and Grant Williams were the only players to score in double figures. Despite that, Ball has been having a tremendous season and up to this point has remained healthy, averaging 29.9 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
Injury Report
Doc Rivers revealed a less-than-ideal injury report after practice on Friday, telling reporters that Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard will be out again for this one. Lillard is not even traveling with the team as he goes through the concussion protocol. Ryan Rollins is also highly doubtful with his shoulder injury, while Bobby Portis (left elbow) is also doubtful. After initially saying he was doubtful after practice, the latest injury report from the Bucks shows that AJ Green was upgraded to probable for today’s festivities.
The good news for Milwaukee is that AJ Green was “upgraded” to probable – after practice Doc Rivers wasn’t feeling too great about his situation.
Bobby Portis Jr. remained doubtful, however.
#Bucks #NBASky— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2024-11-15T19:48:00.770Z
The Hornets will continue to be without their top two big men, Mark Williams (left foot tendon strain) and Nick Richards (right rib fracture). Miles Bridges is listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his right knee, which has kept him on the sidelines for the past 10 days. They will also be down fifth-year guard DaQuan Jeffries (right hand fracture).
Player To Watch
Tre Mann has been an offensive force off the bench for Charlotte. The former Oklahoma City Thunder guard is the third-leading scorer for the Hornets at 14.8 points per game at near league-average shooting from the floor (44.4%) and the three-point line (38.8%). While Mann is in a rough patch over his last three games (23 combined points on 9/26 shooting) he also has three games of over 20 points this season. Hopefully, Ryan Rollins returns to the lineup so the Bucks have someone off the bench (outside of spot minutes from Delon Wright) who can match up with Mann on the defensive end.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:00 PM CST.
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