They should win this one, right?
2025 hasn’t been the best for the Milwaukee Bucks so far, so they hope to turn the tide as they travel to the Great White North and face the Toronto Raptors. These teams have only faced each other once, and that was back in November when the Bucks were victorious in an NBA Cup group stage game with a score of 99-85.
Where We’re At
They almost pulled it off again until they didn’t. Then they almost pulled it off again, until they didn’t again. For the second game in a row, the Bucks had their chances to win and tie the game at the end of the fourth, but unfortunately, Damian Lillard missed both game-tying attempts against the Nets and Blazers. Considering both teams’ struggles all season, the Bucks should not have been in a situation where this game was close. But for some reason, Milwaukee has gotten minimal effort on defense from Giannis and Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton was a non-factor against Portland, and Doc Rivers has simply stopped playing Brook Lopez in the fourth quarter. After their NBA Cup triumph, the Bucks’ schedule was going to ease up and be the basis for Milwaukee to put together a run. But the Bucks have been middling, going 5-5 in their last ten games, and this is the last of weaker opponents for Milwaukee to get their first win of 2025.
The Raptors are not having a good season at all. Toronto has only one eight games this season and has hit the point where they wonder if bringing Jimmy Butler is a good idea while watching their team lose their ninth game in the last 10. There have been injuries, most notably to Scottie Barnes, the Raptors’ best player. After trading Pascal Siakam last year, Toronto has shifted towards a rebuild and hopes to achieve an upset.
Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are probable, while Andre Jackson Jr. is questionable with a non-COVID Illness. In the 11:30 a.m. CDT injury report released by the Bucks, he also had back spasms added to his designation. RJ Barrett is questionable for the Raptors, as he also has an illness.
Player To Watch
I mentioned that Brook Lopez has not played in the fourth quarter of the last three games. Doc Rivers has opted for Bobby Portis and Giannis as his bigs, which hasn’t been a complete train wreck but likely would have been helpful against Portland. Doc insists that he thinks Brook is playing slow, so maybe asking a 36-year-old center who had back surgery within the last five years to move faster is a bit excessive, but what do I know?
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 6:30 PM CST.
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