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Bucks vs. Nets preview, start time, TV schedule and injury report

Tonight the Milwaukee Bucks face the Brooklyn Nets for the third time this season in a game that will likely look very different than their previous two meetings. The first game, right at the start of Milwaukee’s 2-8 start, went to the Nets. However, the Bucks took the next game a few weeks ago to an exhilarating end. What attractions will this third meeting hold?

Where we are

The Bucks rebounded well after losing to the Cavaliers after the Cup and picking up wins over the Wizards and Bulls. What’s notable is that both wins came without Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard (due to illness), meaning others had to step in. Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton led the way for Milwaukee on both occasions, but key contributions from a variety of role players (honestly, too many to list) have allowed the team to continue winning. While the competition wasn’t overwhelming, it’s pleasing to see the Bucks help them out with winnable games.

Things have looked different for the Nets lately. They traded their main offensive engine, Dennis Schröder, at the first opportunity because, let’s face it, he won them way too many games. To be clear, Brooklyn was reeling before They traded Schröder but have lost three of their last four games without him, most recently losing to the Heat, Jazz and Cavaliers and winning against the Raptors. Check out the detailed Heat game recap here. After acquiring a premier ballplayer and creator, Brooklyn’s next few weeks are likely to focus more on shenanigans in the trade market than on the pursuit of wins. Still, an NBA opponent is an NBA opponent.

Injury report

For Milwaukee, Khris Middleton is listed as probable (double ankle surgery). Giannis is listed as questionable (back spasms), as is Damian Lillard (illness). AJ Johnson and Chris Livingston are both out due to illness.

Brooklyn’s injury list is a lot longer. The following players are out: Bojan Bogdanović, De’Anthony Melton, Cam Thomas, Trendon Watford and Ziaire Williams. Dorian Finney-Smith and Ben Simmons are both listed as questionable. The tank is really operational.

Player to keep an eye on

With Schröder gone and Thomas sidelined, the Nets will be looking for new players to provide the scoring touch. I thought about Tyrese Martin, who dropped 30 points on 8/10 from three against the Suns last month. But Martin has been relatively quiet lately, so let’s move on to Noah Clowney. The 2023 first-round pick received spot minutes in his rookie year, but has been given much more focus this season. There appears to have been a clear directive from the organization to turn him into a stretch five. Clowney increased his three-point attempts from 1.4 last season to 4.9 this season, and he’s making them at a rate of 36%. The Bucks have to be prepared for that.

Here’s how to watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CST.

Playback streaming



Opinion poll

Game 29: Against the Nets the Bucks will…

This survey is closed

  • 57%

    Win big (by ten or more points)

    (41 votes)

  • 35%

    Win by a narrow margin (by nine points or less)

    (25 votes)

  • 4%

    Lose by a narrow margin (by nine points or less)

    (3 votes)

  • 2%

    Lose big (by ten or more points)

    (2 votes)


A total of 71 votes

Vote now


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