The Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks will renew hostilities with a second meeting in the space of five days at the United Center on Sunday morning.
Avoiding a fourth defeat on the bounce will be the major target for the home side here, while the away side will be looking to return to triumphant ways having seen their two-game winning streak snapped last time out.
Match preview
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A week on since beating the Boston Celtics 117-108 in their last outing on the road, the Chicago Bulls suffered a disappointing 141-133 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks in Friday's encounter at the State Farm Arena.
Excellent work from Billy Donovan's men over the first three quarters saw them head into the final 12 minutes with a 17-point advantage before suffering one of the most embarrassing collapses in NBA history, losing the fourth quarter 50-25 after giving up 20 unanswered points.
Despite the defeat, Zach LaVine and Jevon Carter both recorded their season highs for points, scoring 37 and 26 respectively, on a combined 23-40 shooting, including 14-20 from beyond the three-point arc.
Suffering three straight defeats for the first time since early November, the Bulls are now 3-3 over their last six games, and any momentum from their stunning win over the Celtics has been extinguished.
However, they continue to hold on to the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference standings, albeit having played more games than four of the five teams below them ahead of this weekend's affair.
Sunday's hosts have been beaten in four of their most recent five matches against the visitors, either side of a 133-122 triumph in January, which remains their only competitive victory in this fixture in just over a year.
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Since winning the NBA Cup, the Milwaukee Bucks have blown hot and cold, having won two and lost two of their subsequent four matches following Friday's 111-105 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets at the Fiserv Forum.
Largely handicapped by the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Doc Rivers's men held a six-point lead after the first 36 minutes of action before relinquishing their advantage in the final quarter.
Khris Middleton tallied consecutive 20-point games for the first time since returning to action, while Brook Lopez also scored 20 points for the second straight game to go alongside seven rebounds and two blocks, which have moved him up into 20th in the all-time charts for rejections.
While the Bucks remain fifth in the East, they now have little breathing space with sixth-place Miami Heat in hot pursuit after their 89-88 win over the Orlando Magic in Friday's hard-fought clash last time out.
In the first of two away matches to close out 2024, Sunday's visitors will be keen to get themselves back on track before heading to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face off against the Indiana Pacers on New Year's Eve.
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Team News
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Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard missed the Bucks' last outing through respective illnesses, but both men are expected to be back in time to play a part here.
Chris Livingston and AJ Johnson were also absent against the Nets and remain doubtful for this one, which could see Liam Robbins get another run-out off the back of a seventh appearance of the season.
Khris Middleton is slowly finding his rhythm having recently returned from injury, although it remains to be seen if the forward will be handed a starting role when everyone is fit.
Bulls guard Josh Giddey continues to nurse an ankle problem and is set to miss a fifth straight game since coming off injured against the Raptors earlier this month.
The home side could also be without the services of Matas Buzelis, Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu through illness, potentially handing Dalen Terry yet another start.
Chicago Bulls possible starting five:
White, Terry; LaVine, Williams; Vucevic
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard, Jackson Jr.; Prince, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
We say: Bucks to win by 3+ points
Having navigated the last couple of games without their best two players, the Bucks could have a refreshed Giannis and Lillard back for this one.
As a result, we are backing the away side to get the job done in what should be a close contest nonetheless.
Adepoju Marvellous
