The Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder still have something to play for even though they’re both playoff locks. The Bucks need just a win (or defeats by the New ork Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers) to bag the No. 2 spot in the East, while the Thunder are still mathematically in it to steal the No. 1 seed in the West. In any case, this Saturday’s matchup between major NBA title contenders is a must-watch.
Catch this game live on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 8:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Milwaukee Bucks (49-31, 18-20 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Damian Lillard (Doubtful)
- Patrick Beverley
- Khris Middleton (Questionable)
- Bobby Portis
- Brook Lopez (Questionable)
No Giannis Antetokounmpo, no problem for the Bucks in their last game on Thursday, as they defeated the Orlando Magic in a crucial matchup at home, 117-99. With the two-time league Most Valuable Player sidelined with a lower-body injury, the Bucks leaned on Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis, who stepped up big time as starters. Lillard had 2 points, while Portis dropped 30 points with nine rebounds and five steals. Portis is likely to get another start, with Antetokounmpo done for at least the rest of the regular season.
Milwaukee, 4-0 against the spread in the last four games versus Oklahoma City, beat the Thunder in the teams’ first meeting of the season on Mar. 25, 118-93. In that game, the Bucks’ defense held Oklahoma City to just 37.1 FG% and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to only 12 points on 5/12 shooting from the field, while also dominating the glass, 57-37. Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton combined for 29 rebounds, with the latter coming up with 10 assists and 11 points for a triple-double. However, Middleton, Lillard, and Brook Lopez are all uncertain to play this Saturday.
Home: Oklahoma City Thunder (55-25, 31-8 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Josh Giddey
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
Just knowing that they will not be dealing with Antetokounmpo this Saturday is already a big plus for the Thunder, who are on a three-game win streak. They are coming off a 127-89 beatdown of the San Antonio Spurs last Thursday at home. Before that, the Thunder defeated the Charlotte Hornets last Sunday (121-118) and the Sacramento Kings (112-105) last Wednesday on the road and at home, respectively. Oklahoma City is currently 3-0 against the spread in its last three games as the home team.
The Thunder’s offense has been humming nicely of late, as they have averaged 120.0 points and shot 43.3 percent from behind the arc in their last three outings. Oklahoma City’s hands may still be on fire after hitting 16 3-pointers on 38 attempts from deep in the win over San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 33.0 points on 53.8 percent shooting in his last two games and must be aching to get back at the Bucks after his poor performance in the loss to Milwaukee.
Picks
Spread: Oklahoma City (-14.5)
Over/Under: Over (223.5)
