Thunder Game Day: OKC Meets Milwaukee Bucks' New Duo

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are set to become on the NBA's best duos this season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder will have an opportunity to get an early look at the duo.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will plays its strongest opponent of the NBA preseason so far in the form of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Led by the NBA's newest dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks are prepared to be one of the NBA's top championship contenders this season. 

It will be a tough challenge for the young Thunder roster, but an interesting look at how Oklahoma City stacks up against such a talented team. Assuming both players enter the game, Chet Holmgren will get his first look at Antetokounmpo. 

Mar 8, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann (23) defends against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 1-point underdogs to the Bucks, and the total over/under is 224.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Depending on if Milwaukee's star players get playing time in the matchup, Oklahoma City will be in for its most difficult game of the preseason.

Holmgren hasn't matched up against a player quite like Antetokounmpo yet, one of the NBA's most dominant players of the decade. The "Greek Freak" is strong and gets to the rim at will, so it will be a test for Holmgren's defense prowess and strength. 

Lillard is a handful himself, coming off a 30+ points per game season and ready to contend for a championship on his new team. Locking him up on the perimeter will be an important part of winning the game for Oklahoma City, with Luguentz Dort likely getting the assignment for most of the game. 

If the Bucks superstar duo does play, it will likely only be for the first half. The Thunder can take advantage of a weaker bench unit and secure its second win of the preseason. 

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (2-1)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN: 

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

This contest against the Milwaukee Bucks will be a great opportunity for Oklahoma City to matchup against a true elite team. While it is preseason and the Thunder will not go fully 100%, giving ample playing time to its starters could be a useful test to gauge where the team is at.

Don't expect a full strength game between these two teams, but more of a preview for what is to come this season. 

Following the game, the Thunder will remain in Oklahoma City to play the the Detroit Pistons Thursday for the second time this preseason. 

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