Bucks Zone

GAMEDAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks shoot for their first win under Doc Rivers, face the Dallas Mavericks

The Bucks are 0-2 under Doc Rivers.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks play their third-straight game on the road as they take on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

The Bucks are still winless under new coach Doc Rivers, losing two straight games to start a five-game road trip. They started the trip with a 107-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets and lost again against the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-119.

Rough start under Doc

Milwaukee is now 2-3 since the firing of coach Adrian Griffin, who was fired after 43 games. The Bucks went 2-1 under interim coach Joe Prunty, and despite the two-game slump, they remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 32-16 record.

Milwaukee and Dallas are facing for the second and final time this season. The Bucks defeated the Mavericks in their first meeting on November 18th, 132-125, with Giannis Antetokounmpo firing 40 points in the win.

Dallas is also struggling, as it lost five of its last seven games. The Mavs are coming off an 87-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They are currently 26-22 and are eighth spot in the Western Conference.

The Luka Doncic-led Mavs are 14-12 at home, while the Bucks are 11-11 on the road.

Injury report

Andre Jackson Jr. is questionable for the Bucks due to a right wrist sprain.

Dallas’ top guard Kyrie Irving (thumb), Derrick Jones Jr. (wrist), Dereck Lively II (nose), and Maxi Kleber (nose) are uncertain to suit up against the Bucks.

Dante Exum is out due to a knee injury.

Damian Lillard shares his feelings on the massive ovations he got early in the game

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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.