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WHO: Brooklyn Nets (17-20) at Milwaukee Bucks (24-10)
WHAT: The Nets are looking to bounce back after losing to the Hornets on Friday night...against the first place Milwaukee Bucks. Eek.
WHERE: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
WHEN: 5:00 p.m. EST
HOW: YES, FSWIS; NBA League Pass
THE STORY: Game Preview
In addition to the best record (24-10), Milwaukee has the best Net Rating in the league at 8.4 and take 43.4 percent of their shots from three, second most in the league behind the Rockets at an astounding 49.5 percent. The Nets, in comparison, take 38.6 percent of their shots from deep, sixth in the league. The biggest deep threats are Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez (!), Malcolm Brogdon, and Tony Snell. They’ll basically just spread a bunch of guys around Giannis and let them pick and fade to give The Greek Freak whatever room he needs to operate. It works.
Keep in mind during this next sentence that Giannis just turned 24 years old like, three weeks ago. He’s averaging 26.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks all while shooting 58% from the field. Twenty.Four. He is essentially unstoppable, and the Nets best individual answer might just be DeMarre Carroll trying his absolute best. Otherwise, Giannis is going to get his numbers. On the rebounds, it might make sense to play Ed Davis some extra minutes to deny Giannis the opportunity for a couple of extra fast breaks. Guy takes four steps after a rebound and he’s almost at the basket. A little Ed Davis Bully Ball might help out with that.
For more on the Bucks, check out: Brew Hoop
The Bucks beat the Knicks 112-96 last game out and they were led by a sterling performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo who finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, one steal, and 4 blocked shots.
Khris Middleton broke-out for 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting while Brook Lopez added 17 points and hit three three-pointers. The President, Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 15 points and starting point guard Eric Bledsoe scored 8 points. D.J. Wilson was a bright spot, again, notching his first-career double-double (10 points and 14 rebounds) while finishing plus-17.
The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Ersan Ilyasova as he continues to recover from surgery on his broken nose.