The Bucks talk about ball movement, point differential in tournament play throughout the season
The Bucks talk about sharing the ball and the point difference in the season tournament win over the Hornets
The Milwaukee Bucks (8-4) look to win their fourth straight game against the Dallas Mavericks (9-3) on Saturday night at Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks are on their second night in a row, traveling off of a win in Charlotte on Friday. The Mavericks have been off since a win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Kyrie Irving scored 18 points in the third quarter to help Dallas take a 98-89 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Mavericks had 15 second-chance points to three.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points on 10 of 15 shooting and Luka Dončić had 17 points on 7 of 14 shooting as the Bucks took a 60-58 halftime lead. Kyrie Irving was held to 3 for 10 in the first half, while Damian Lillard had 10 for Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo and Dončić each scored 12 points in the first quarter, but Tim Hardaway Jr. added nine to help the Mavericks to a 34-33 first quarter lead.
What time is the Bucks’ game against Luka Doncic and Mavericks tonight?
The Bucks play the Mavericks at 7 p.m
Is Giannis playing?
Yes, even if Antetokounmpo is listed on the injury report with a new ailment. He is listed as likely to receive treatment for a right knee injury. He missed the team’s win at Toronto on Wednesday because of a right calf strain, but played 28 minutes on Friday. He said he wasn’t at 100% yet but hoped he would continue to improve as the days went by.
GIANNIS SCHEDULE: Antetokounmpo’s injuries during his NBA career and how quickly he can recover from them
Khris Middleton persevered through injury management
Unsurprisingly, the Bucks ruled out Khris Middleton against the Mavericks. He is still on a minutes restriction and played 21 minutes against Charlotte. He has never played back-to-back games this season. He had missed the first game of those sets on two other occasions, but the Hornets game was part of the in-season tournament and the focus was on that contest.
Bucks injury report
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (treatment for right knee injury)
- Khris Middleton is out (treating a right knee injury)
- MarJon Beauchamp is out (right ankle sprain)
- Chris Livingston is out (left ankle sprain)
- Jae Crowder is out (left adductor surgery)
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
- Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andre Jackson Jr.
- Center: Brook Lopez
NBA rankings
The Bucks are tied with the Miami Heat at 8-4 for third place in the Eastern Conference.
The Boston Celtics lead the East with a record of 10-2. The Philadelphia 76ers are in second place at 9-3 entering the 2023-24 schedule.
The Mavericks are currently tied for first place in the Western Conference at 9-3 against the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets.