Who: Phoenix Suns (37–27) @ Milwaukee Bucks (27-36)
When: 5:00 PM Arizona Time
Where: Fiserv Forum — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are fresh off a promising home win against the red-hot Charlotte Hornets on Sunday evening.
Despite being short-handed, Phoenix’s guard trio of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Collin Gillespie all put on a show. That, plus the strong play from their rookies and an encouraging Haywood Highsmith debut,
was enough to push the Suns over the hump.
This will be the first meeting between these clubs, with the two-game season series concluding in Phoenix in a couple of weeks. For the Suns, this is the start of a long, grueling 6-game road trip all over the country with a pair of back-to-backs sprinkled in.
This is a road test that should not go unnoticed by the Suns, despite their poor record in Milwaukee. Giannis is off the injury report, and they will be at (mostly) full strength on their home floor. This game caps off the end of a season-long five-game homestand for the Bucks, who have lost five of their last six contests.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Jordan Goodwin — QUESTIONABLE (Left Calf)
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Knee)
- Mark Williams — OUT (Left Foot)
- Dillon Brooks — OUT (Left Hand)
Bucks
- Kyle Kuzma — QUESTIONABLE (Back)
- Kevin Porter Jr. — OUT (Knee)
- Taurean Prince — OUT (Neck)
What to Watch For
The Suns are going to be a bit undersized compared to a large Bucks team across the board. Between centers Myles Turner and Jericho Sims, along with Giannis, of course, and Bobby Portis, plus 6’9” forward Osumane Dieng stepping into a larger role of late.
Expect the trio of young guys in Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, and Rasheer Fleming to get significant minutes in this one.
Milwaukee just gave up 130 points to the Orlando Magic in a loss on their home floor this Sunday. The Bucks are the 11th seed out East, and they are a full 4 games back from the Hornets (who Phoenix just beat) for the final play-in spot. The motivation will be there for them to put together one last run, especially with Giannis healthy, even if it looks to be an uphill climb.
Keys to a Suns Win
Contain the Freak
Giannis is still a freight train and will be a problem for a Suns team that struggles to defend physical, bruising forwards. I’d anticipate Oso Ighodaro, Rasheer Fleming, and Ryan Dunn, or even Khaman Maluach, being bodies they throw at him to disrupt him.
Beyond slowing Giannis down, the Suns will need to cut off “the others” on Milwaukee’s squad. Ryan Rollins can get buckets. Bobby Portis has killed Phoenix in the past, and you want to avoid an AJ Green, Cam Thomas, Gary Trent Jr., or Kyle Kuzma game. They have sneaky depth, but it’s an odd mix of guys who haven’t been able to stay on the court together much this season.
Contain the Bench
Portis led the Bucks with 18 points, and Cam Thomas chipped in with 17 off the bench in their loss to the Magic on Sunday. Phoenix’s bench is dependent on who actually suits up in this one, because if they get Allen and/or Goodwin, that provides a significant punch in either scoring or defense, depending on who can go.
Defense Wins
The Bucks have been held to under 100 points in four of their last six contests. The Suns will need to do what they do best to take this one, and that is to set the tone defensively.
Team defense will be the key. Pack the paint, help, and recover. Rinse and repeat. Giannis’s presence adds another element to this Bucks team, so the Suns’ depth and size will be tested early and often.
Prediction
The Suns are looking more connected, and a potential return of one (or both) of Goodwin and Allen could give them the jolt they need to just pull off a tough road win. I’m not holding my breath on this one.
Suns 113, Bucks 109
