Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks – Game #39
DeMar DeRozan leads the Spurs against the surging Bucks (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs finish their five-game Eastern Conference road trip tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs are 3-1 on the trip after winning their last three ballgames. Their latest victory was 116-110 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.
The Spurs at 22-16 are the seventh seed in the Western Conference. However, they’re now tied in the loss column with the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. Only three teams (the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns and defending champion Los Angeles Lakers) have fewer losses than the Spurs in the West.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills will sit out tonight’s game for rest purposes. That’s not a surprising move by head coach Gregg Popovich, as tonight’s contest is the fifth game in seven nights for the Spurs.
In addition to Murray and Mills sitting out, it’s unlikely that Popovich plays anyone big minutes. Specifically, Keldon Johnson is probably in line for more rest after playing a team-high 39 minutes last night and only recently returning from a COVID-19 diagnosis. DeMar DeRozan, who played last night after missing four games following the funeral for his father, also could see his minutes limited after he played 36 minutes against the Cavs.
Besides Murray and Mills, Keita Bates-Diop is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. He hurt his hamstring during the first game of the road trip, a blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
As for a starting lineup, a good guess would be Derrick White, Lonnie Walker IV, DeRozan, Johnson and Jakob Poeltl.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Rolling
The last two seasons, the Bucks have finished with the best record in the NBA. After a relatively slow start to this season, the Bucks have got it going once again. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 games and are now 26-14 on the season.
As it stands, Milwaukee has the sixth best record in the league. However, no one would be surprised if the Bucks keep playing well and finish with the best record in the NBA for a third straight season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Still Balling
Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the Most Valuable Player award the last two seasons. He’s once again in the running for that award this season. The 26-year-old is averaging 29.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
Who will the Spurs use to try to slow the Greek Freak? Look for Keldon Johnson to start off the game guarding him. That will, obviously, be a big test for the young player. Other players who could guard Antetokounmpo include Poeltl, Trey Lyles and Rudy Gay.