Bucks Zone

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks try to stretch their win streak to 12 against the Chicago Bulls

The Milwaukee Bucks will try to sustain their hot streak against the struggling Chicago Bulls.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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The Milwaukee Bucks will try to head to the All-Star break on a high note as they seek a 12th straight victory against the slumping Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

Game preview

The two teams are having contrasting campaigns so far, with the Bucks stringing up consecutive victories and the Bulls struggling to pick up wins.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks are the league’s hottest team thanks to their 11 successive wins, enjoying their longest winning streak since putting up 18 straight victories in 2019.

Led by Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 32.5 points and 12.3 rebounds a game, the Bucks are in the running for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Parading a 40-17 record, Milwaukee enters Thursday's night duel just a game behind the Boston Celtics, who are 42-17.

One thing going against the Bucks Thursday night is that they have yet to win against the Bulls this season. Chicago defeated Milwaukee in their first meeting on November 25th, 118-113, and triumphed again in their second encounter on December 30th, 119-113.

The Bulls are on a five-game losing streak. They are in the 11th spot in the East with a 26-32 record. Chicago is playing on the back end of a back-to-back after playing on Wednesday night in a game that saw them squander a 24-point lead and lose to the Indiana Pacers, 113-117.

Injury report

The Bucks will be without Pat Connaughton (sore left calf) and Bobby Portis Jr. (knee), as well as the new recruit Jae Crowder, who is still in the reconditioning process. Antetokounmpo is listed as probable due to right knee soreness.

The Bulls will be without Lonzo Ball (knee) and Javonte Green (knee), while Derrick Jones Jr., Goran Dragic, and DeMar DeRozan are listed as probable.

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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.