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GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks try to stretch their hot streak against the revamped Los Angeles Lakers

The Milwaukee Bucks will be putting their nine-game winning streak on the line.
Matthew Dugandzic|
GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks try to stretch their hot streak against the revamped Los Angeles Lakers
GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks try to stretch their hot streak against the revamped Los Angeles Lakers

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Milwaukee BucksLos Angeles Lakers

Owner of eight straight wins, the Milwaukee Bucks will be the first team to test the revamped Los Angeles Lakers when the two squads clash on Thursday night at the Cyrpto.com Arena.

Game preview

The Bucks have been on a roll, racking up eight straight victories that solidified their hold on the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Sporting a 37-17 slate, the Bucks are just one and a half games behind the conference leaders Boston Celtics, who are 39-16.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have been solid for the Bucks, who are yet to lose since the two stars returned from long layoffs due to injuries. Antetokounmpo currently ranks third in the entire league in scoring, averaging 32.2 points a game. He also leads the league in rebounding with 12.4 boards per outing.

Middleton has been excellent since his return, maintaining an efficient average of 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists despite playing off the bench while still under a minute restriction.

The Bucks lost to the Lakers in their first meeting at the Fiserv Forum on December 3rd, 129-133. But that was a different Lakers team back then.

The Lakers just figured in a multiple-team trade that saw them acquire D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Lakers gave up Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano Anderson, Damion Jones, and a first-round pick, as this will be a completly different team for the second half of the season.

The Lakers are on a two-game slide. The latest loss came on Tuesday night when LeBron James became the league’s all-time leading scorer during the Lakers’ 130-133 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Injury report

LeBron James, who has been dealing with a foot injury, and Anthony Davis are both questionable for tonight, while their new teammates in Russell, Vanderbilt, and Beasley are not likely to already suit up tonight versus the Bucks. Scottie Pippen Jr. is also out.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez are listed as probable, while Bobby Portis Jr. (knee), Serge Ibaka (personal), and Joe Ingles (rest) are out for the Bucks. 

Published
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.