GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks face the Boston Celtics in clash of top East teams

The Bucks and the Celtics are 1-1 on the season.
© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference collide as the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Boston Celtics in a major collision on Wednesday.

The two teams are both on winning streaks, with the Bucks enjoying a two-game winning streak and the Celtics riding the crest of a six-game romp. Boston’s seven straight victories are the longest active winning streak in the league.

Leading the pack

The Celtics are on top in the Eastern Conference with an NBA-best 54-14 record. They are the first team and only team so far to clinch a playoff berth. The Bucks are ten games behind the Celtics, occupying the second spot with a 44-24 record. Milwaukee already matched its total losses last season, where they went 58-24. They are already assured of at least a play-in.

The two squads are meeting for the third this season and are 1-1 in their four-game regular-season series. The Celtics won in their first meeting, 119-116, with Jaylen Brown (26 points), Jayson Tatum (23), and Kristaps Porzingis (21) combining for 70 points. The Bucks got even via a resounding 135-102 victory in their second encounter that served as the homecoming of ex-Milwaukee playmaker Jrue Holiday.

Bobby Portis Jr. (28 points), Giannis Antetokounmpo (24), and Damian Lillard (21) led Milwaukee’s vengeful win by combining for 73 points. The Bucks led by as many as 43 points in the lopsided win.

Injury report

Antetokounmpo is considered questionable for the Bucks due to left hamstring tendinopathy. Giannis missed Milwaukee’s 140-129 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday due to a sore hamstring. MarJon Beauchamp (back spasms) is listed as probable.

Holiday (shoulder), Sam Hauser (ankle), and Jaylen Brown (ankle) are listed as questionable for the Celtics.

Report points to Khris Middleton as a starter who could derail the Milwaukee Bucks' title chances this season


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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.