Bucks Zone

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks play their second game in two nights, host the Brooklyn Nets

The Bucks are coming off a tough three-point loss to East rivals Boston Celtics.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets to play the back end of a back-to-back on Thursday night.

The Bucks were in Boston on Wednesday night, where they suffered a 119-122 loss, but not after staging a furious comeback that saw them nearly wipe out a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The loss to Boston snapped Milwaukee’s two-game winning streak but they remained in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 44-25 record. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game when he sat out against Boston. The Greek Freak, who is hobbled by a sore hamstring, also did not play in the Bucks’ 140-129 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Tough to beat at home

The Bucks are a solid 27-7 at home. They are playing a Brooklyn team that has lost its last three games on the road. The Nets are on a four-game losing streak, have lost six of their previous seven games, and are just 26-43 in the season.

The squads are playing the final contest of their three-game regular-season series. The Bucks are 2-0 in the series.

Milwaukee scored a 129-125 win in their first meeting on November 6th, with Giannis finishing a stellar 36-point, 12-rebound performance. The second meeting on December 27th was a one-sided one, with the Bucks scoring an easy 144-122 victory. Giannis was also solid in the win after he tallied 32 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Injury report

It remains unclear whether Antetokounmpo will finally play after missing two straight games. With the Bucks on a back-to-back, some key players may be rested, especially Khris Middleton, who had already played two straight games after missing 16 consecutive games due to a sprained ankle.

The Nets will be without Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), Ben Simmons (back), and Dariq Whitehead (shin). Nic Claxton is listed as questionable due to an illness.

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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.