Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns Preview: SPF 50 Recommended

Looking to even the season series, the Milwaukee Bucks take on the impressive Phoenix Suns tonight at Fiserv Forum. Back on February 10th, the Suns won these teams’ first meeting by a single point, though the Bucks were missing Jrue Holiday. Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 47, but sadly missed a potential game-winning J at the buzzer.

Where We’re At

The Bucks had their winning streak halted at 3 games by a hot-shooting Grizzlies team on Saturday night as their defense was thoroughly thrashed. Milwaukee’s rim protection was uncharacteristically bad, as Memphis missed just 2 attempts in the restricted area. Add in a hot shooting night from Grayson Allen (how can we make it so he never plays a Wisconsin team again?), then 24 points off 16 turnovers, and you have a recipe for an L. The good news is that Giannis was excellent in his second game back, scoring 28 in 29 minutes and shooting 8/12 at the line. Donte DiVincenzo missed the Memphis game but is not listed on the most recent injury report, nor are any other Bucks.

They’ll look to right the ship against the Suns, who currently sport the league’s second-best record. Phoenix is coming off a bad loss to a much weaker Spurs team, but they’ve won 11 of their last 13. In fact, the Suns are a cool 25-7 since these two teams last faced off. Despite holding the second seed in the West just 1.5 games back of Utah, Monty Williams’ squad is not getting a lot of respect from pundits (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?), and some even see them as first-round upset material. If you ask me, that’s complete baloney. Chris Paul, whose late-career renaissance continues, and fellow veteran newcomer Jae Crowder are the catalysts that have this talented young squad firing on all cylinders. Devin Booker is scoring at his typical high volume, DeAndre Ayton averages a double-double, Mikal Bridges is a very solid 3-and-D wing, and they get great shooting from Cameron Johnson off the bench. Of those 4, Johnson is the only one over 25, and just barely. Abdel Nader remains out with a sore right knee, but the Suns are otherwise healthy.

Player To Watch

When these two teams last met, Jrue Holiday was away from the team after contracting COVID-19 for the second of what would be a 10-game absence. Perhaps uncoincidentally, CP3 and Booker combined for 58 points on 21/41 from the field that evening. Both Holiday and DiVincenzo will be tasked with defending Phoenix’s elite starting backcourt, and holding one of the Suns’ guards honest could mean the difference between a win and loss.

Support our site! | BreakingT | ESPN+ | ESPN+ 30 For 30 | fuboTV | Disney+