After a brutal thrashing by the New York Knicks, the Milwaukee Bucks are back at home tonight to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the second game of a back-to-back. For the Bucks, there is little to build on from last night in New York beyond the games of Nate Ament and Kasparas Jakucionis, who should both see more of the floor after strong performances. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 10-2 and first overall in the Western Conference. This will be the toughest test of the year, and it couldn’t come at a worse
time for the Bucks, who are still looking for their second win of the season.
The Task Ahead
There is no gentle way to say this: the Bucks will be outmatched at home unless someone can make a stand in the frontcourt. The Lakers’ offense is relentless and currently the best in the NBA, scoring 122.4 points per 100 possessions. Much of that comes from their two-headed monster in the backcourt: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Reaves, who inked a big extension this off-season, is averaging 25.3/3.4/4.6, and with those numbers, could only be second fiddle to Doncic, who is off to an absolutely torrid pace of 39.3/7.8/7.9 on nearly 68% true shooting. For years, this is what it felt like to run into Giannis, and now the Bucks find themselves on the other end, hoping to make it a game—a task that proved too big in New York.
As if the dynamic duo in the backcourt wasn’t enough, the Bucks will have their hands full in the paint with Walker Kessler. Kessler is making an early-season push for an All-Defense team as opponents are currently shooting just 47.1% against him at the rim and 41.1% overall. Couple that with 2.5 blocks per game and a double-double average, and you have an elite starting centre (something that feels so distant for Milwaukee). Given how bad the night was in New York, it feels like the only way the Bucks will stand a chance in the frontcourt is with an injection of youth and energy. Kel’el Ware looked more competent on defense and had a couple of close shots roll out, while Nate Ament looks more comfortable by the minute. Despite all this, the Lakers are not exactly running away with games, with five of their wins by single digits. This can be blamed in large part on the defensively challenged Doncic and Reaves; if the Bucks want a chance, they will need to attack that duo early and often.
Injury Report
Bucks:
- Milwaukee’s injury report hasn’t been submitted yet because the team is on a back-to-back, but Tyler Herro will be the one to watch.
Lakers:
- Quentin Grimes: Questionable (finger)
Player to Watch
Matisse Thybulle has been asked to guard many players on the perimeter all season long, and so far has been incredibly effective. The Bucks will need to be firing on all cylinders if they want a chance to beat the Lakers, but if Thybulle can be a disruptor, the Bucks could be in for another long night.
Projected Starters
Game Details
Who: Milwaukee Bucks (1-10) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10-2).
When: 7:00 p.m. CST.
Where: Fiserv Forum—Milwaukee, WI.
Watch: MY24.
Listen: Check local listings.
Prescient Prediction
Milwaukee needs a shot in the arm, so let’s look to Big Nate Ament to deliver against the Lakers and bring some life to the team. Ament will get his first double-double of the season and reinvigorate the Bucks as they go for the upset win at home!
