The San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks are both on a roll, but only one team will continue with their winning ways this Sunday. Read on for a preview of this East vs. West matchup.
Catch this game live on Sunday, March 21, at 9 AM, Manila time
HOME TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks (26-14, 15-5 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Donte DiVincenzo
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez
The Bucks extended their unbeaten streak to five games after outlasting the Philadelphia 76ers in a 109-105 win on Thursday. Giannis Antetokounmpo towered over everyone with 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo had 20 points, eight boards, five assists, and three steals in an all-around brilliance that he looks to sustain in the Spurs game.
The Bucks could be parading a new weapon in the newly acquired PJ Tucker this Sunday who will add versatility and toughness on both ends of the floor for a Milwaukee team that has gotten better defensively. The Bucks are 19th in the NBA right now with 112.5 points allowed per game but are seventh in opponents shooting efficiency with 1.110 points surrendered per possession.
It’s just that Milwaukee constantly pushes the tempo and controls it with a lot of help from its ability to dominate the glass. Milwaukee is second overall with an 80.2 DREB% and No. 2 also in total rebounds per game with 56.0. Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have covered the spread in five of their last seven games as the home team.
ROAD TEAM: San Antonio Spurs (22-16, 12-6 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
PG: Derrick White
PG: Dejounte Murray
SF: DeMar DeRozan
SF: Keldon Johnson
C: Jakob Poeltl
DeMar DeRozan returned to action on Saturday after multiple games out of the lineup due to personal reasons and looked sharp in scoring 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in 36 minutes in a 116-110 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
San Antonio has now won three games in a row, though those were all against teams with dim chances to make the playoffs. Still, the Spurs at least have some momentum to enjoy heading into the matchup against the Bucks. Keldon Johnson exploded for an insane double-double off 23 points and 21 rebounds and given Milwaukee’s fast pace, the former Kentucky Wildcats star could be in for another huge performance.
The Spurs have been getting to the free-throw line a lot of late, as they have gone 49 of 66 from the charity stripe over their last two games. DeRozan and company could see a ton of opportunities for freebies this Sunday against the Bucks, who are fourth in the NBA in personal fouls per game (17.8) and allow the most free-throw attempts per contest (18.7).
The Spurs are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games as the road team versus Milwaukee.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread:
After picking on lottery-bound teams, the Spurs will get a taste of how it’s like to play a true title contender. Giannis Antetokounmpo will run the floor and feast on the glass to score a double-digit win over San Antonio and cover the -10 spread.
Over/Under:
The Bucks will have a field day scoring the ball efficiently but the Spurs will not, as they are only 19th in adjusted offensive rating. Take the under 228.5 here.
