Game Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks (17-14) are riding a modest one-game winning streak as they prepare to host the struggling Brooklyn Nets (12-20) on Thursday night. While the Bucks have hovered around a 55-percent win rate this season, averaging 113 points per game, the Nets have struggled to find consistency, winning just over a third of their contests while scoring nearly 108 points per contest.
Milwaukee has been solid defensively, holding opponents to just under 112 points per game while grabbing a shade above 43 rebounds. Their offense has been paced by efficient shooting, connecting on 48 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from three-point range. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have also done an excellent job sharing the ball, dishing out 24 assists while taking care of the rock with just 14 turnovers per game.
Recent form favors the Bucks, who have won 14 of their last 20 games while averaging 114 points and shooting a blistering 41 percent from deep. Over their last 10 contests, they've outscored opponents by a point per game while crashing the boards for 43 rebounds. In their last five, Milwaukee has been even more dominant, winning 3 of 5 while pouring in 112 points per game on scorching 46-percent shooting from the field and an 81-percent clip at the charity stripe.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, has struggled to gain traction. Over their last 20 games, the Nets are just 7-13, scoring 106 points per game while allowing 112. Their shooting numbers have been pedestrian, hovering around 45 percent overall and 38 percent from long range. While they've taken care of the ball reasonably well, the Nets have lacked a consistent defensive presence, unable to slow opponents on the interior or perimeter.
Recent form has been particularly concerning, with Brooklyn dropping 4 of their last 5 while mustering just 98 points per contest on 42-percent shooting. Over their last 10 games, the Nets are 3-7, struggling to slow opponents who have averaged 109 points against them. Unless Kevin Durant and company can quickly rediscover their offensive rhythm and tighten up defensively, they could be in for another long night against the surging Bucks.