Without Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks lead the Nets 82-76 after three quarters

On By Littum

game

The Milwaukee Bucks return to action tonight after getting their first Christmas off in seven years, hosting the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum.

Brooklyn cut Milwaukee’s double-digit lead to 71-69 early in the third quarter, but the Bucks did just enough to keep the Nets at arm’s length to take an 82-76 lead into the fourth quarter. AJ Green hit two timely buckets for five points to keep the Nets from taking the lead.

Brook Lopez scored 18 first-half points on 7-of-8 shooting, including a 4-for-4 mark from behind the three-point line to help the Bucks to a 59-51 halftime lead. Milwaukee led by as many as 13 with two minutes left in the second quarter, but the Nets closed with a 9-4 run to stay connected. Brooklyn has stayed in it by scoring 16 points off 12 Milwaukee turnovers.

The Bucks turned it over seven times and went 1-for-6 from behind the three-point line and trailed the Nets 27-25 after one quarter. The Nets made 4 three pointers in the quarter to take a small lead.

The Nets beat the Bucks in New York on October 27th as part of Milwaukee’s 1-6 start to the season, then played the Bucks tough in a five-point loss on December 8th. But since then, Brooklyn has traded guard Dennis Schröderwho terrorized Milwaukee’s back court with 29 and 34 point efforts.

Brooklyn has lost eight of its last 10 games, including two in a row.

Milwaukee has won two in a row and five of its last six.

Is Giannis playing tonight?

No, per head coach Doc Rivers. The MVP candidate began the day questionably playing with back spasms, then was changed to a non-COVID ailment. He is the latest Bucks player to fall ill. If there is any good news, it’s that Rivers said Antetokounmpo was on track to play after missing two straight games with back spasms.

What is the Bucks’ record without Giannis?

3-1: The Bucks have won two straight without their star, beating Washington on Dec. 21 and Chicago on Dec. 23 when he sat out with back spasms.

More: Bobby Portis starts a campaign to get AJ Green in the three-point contest

Is Damian Lillard playing?

No. The All-star point guard is also battling an illness. He missed the Bulls game on December 23rd with the illness, but had strained his right calf during the NBA Cup in Las Vegas and missed the games on the 20th-21st. December because of that injury. But like Antetokounmpo, Rivers said Lillard has moved on from that injury.

Bucks dealing with disease

Since Taurean Prince started — but could only play nine minutes — against Boston on Dec. 6, the Bucks have been hit hard by an illness that has bounced around the locker room all month. Khris Middleton was knocked out of the NBA Cup Finals on December 17th. Damian Lillard, AJ Johnson and Chris Livingston were ruled out on Dec. 23, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was added to the roster Thursday afternoon. In addition to the missed games, it had been clear that some players were also playing through colds.

Despite that, the Bucks are 6-3 so far in December — a record that doesn’t include their win over Oklahoma City for the NBA Cup title.

Bucks starters

  • Guards: Andre Jackson Jr., Ryan Rollins
  • Forwards: Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis Jr.
  • Center: Brook Lopez

Buck’s injury report

  • AJ Johnson, out (non-COVID illness)
  • Chris Livingston, out (non-COVID illness)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (non-COVID illness)
  • Damian Lillard, out (non-COVID illness)
  • Khris Middleton, probable (surgery on both ankles)

What channel is Bucks on?

The game will tip off at 7:00 pm and will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Steve Novak and Melanie Ricks on the call.

Bucks vs. Net odds, over/under

Milwaukee is a 9.5-point favorite over Brooklyn, and the over/under is 207 points, per BetMGM.