The Milwaukee Bucks are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at the Smoothie King Center, looking to extend their winning streak following two straight victories. Currently holding a 23-30 record, the Bucks sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and aim to match their longest win streak of the season, which consists of three games achieved earlier this month. This matchup marks the conclusion of the two-game series between the teams; the Bucks secured a win over the Pelicans in overtime in their last encounter.
On the other hand, the Pelicans are struggling this season with a record of 15-41, placing them near the bottom of the league standings as they share the second-fewest wins with three other teams. Despite their challenges, the Pelicans demonstrated some progress by winning two out of three games leading up to the break.
As for the Bucks, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined due to a soleus muscle strain in his right calf. While he expressed confidence about his recovery, having participated in half of a practice session recently, he still requires additional live practice sessions before being cleared to play. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers noted that Antetokounmpo would engage in typical buildup practices, including three-on-three and four-on-four activities.
Antetokounmpo has battled injuries this season, previously contending with a left adductor strain that limited his minutes significantly. The Bucks have struggled in his absence, holding an 8-15 record without him, although they have managed to win five of those games since his most recent injury.
The matchup tonight carries additional weight, as the outcome could have implications for the upcoming NBA draft. Due to a prior trade involving Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans have the right to swap draft positions with the Bucks, motivating Milwaukee to secure a victory while New Orleans cannot afford to lose games in hopes of positioning themselves for a better draft pick.
Milwaukee will be missing both Taurean Prince and Myles Turner due to injuries, alongside Antetokounmpo. Probable starters for the Bucks include guards Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and AJ Green, forward Kyle Kuzma, and center Jericho Sims.
The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. CT and will be aired on the FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Betting odds indicate that New Orleans is favored by 4.5 points, with the over/under set at 222.5 points.
As the Bucks strive for their longest winning streak of the season, fans remain hopeful for a strong showing against the Pelicans, which could reinvigorate their season as they navigate through these challenging times.