For the first time in over a year, the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks will meet on the court this Thursday. The prospect of a faceoff between Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokoumpo is reason enough to tune into this game. With that said, will the Spurs snap their skid with a win over Milwaukee? Or, will the Bucks win back-to-back games for the first time in 2025?
Catch this game live on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM, Manila time
Away: San Antonio Spurs (18-18, 6-10 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Chris Paul
- Devin Vassell
- Harrison Barnes
- Keldon Johnson
- Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs are on a two-game losing skid, but they have looked competitive in both losses. After falling prey to the Denver Nuggets in a 122-111 overtime loss at home last Sunday, the Spurs suffered a collapse in a 114-110 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on the road on Tuesday. Still, San Antonio is seemingly making progress with Victor Wembanyama as the franchise cornerstone.
Wembanyama is averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 boards, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. He will look to show the Bucks how much he’s improved since he last saw them, which was way back in January of 2024 when he had 27 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, albeit in a 125-121 loss at home. As a team, the Spurs are averaging 111.4 points per game. Defensively, they are allowing 111.5 points per outing. San Antonio enters Thursday’s game with a solid 7-3 record against the spread in its last 10 road assignments.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (18-16, 11-7 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Damian Lillard
- Khris Middleton (Probable)
- Andre Jackson Jr. (Probable)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Probable)
- Brook Lopez
Milwaukee prevented further embarrassment when it took care of business last Tuesday by destroying the Toronto Raptors up north, 128-104. That was a much-needed victory for the Bucks, who have not looked the same since winning the NBA Cup in Las Vegas. They even recently lost to teams like the Brooklyn Nets and the Portland Trail Blazers. But now that they’re back in the win column, the Bucks will look to thwart San Antonio. They might have to try without some key players, with Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo among those with uncertain statuses for the Spurs game.
Antetokounmpo is playing MVP-level basketball this season, averaging 31.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting over 60 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard is healthy, and spells trouble for the Spurs after he erupted for 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting in the Raptors game. The Bucks, who are putting up 112.3 points and allowing 110.1 per outing, are 6-4 straight up in their last 10 home assignments.
Picks
Spread: Milwaukee Bucks (-5.5)
Over/Under: Over(222.5)
