Having not lost three games on the bounce since November, the Milwaukee Bucks will be seeking to snap a two-game losing run and get themselves back on track when they welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to the Fiserv Forum on Monday.
Three months on since claiming a 122-99 victory in the sides' only previous meeting this term, the Grizzlies now set out to complete a season sweep against their Eastern Conference counterparts.
Match preview
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Fresh from a 125-111 defeat on Damian Lillard's return to Portland for only the second time since leaving the Trail Blazers, the Milwaukee Bucks were no match for the San Antonio Spurs in Saturday's 144-118 loss at the Frost Bank Center.
A disastrous start left Doc Rivers's men trailing by 10 after the opening four minutes, and while they did manage to turn things around and head into half time with a narrow lead, a poor second-half display saw the Bucks give up their highest points in a game this term en route to a disappointing defeat.
Nonetheless, all-star duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard were impressive once again as they combined for 57 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists, while Khris Middleton also chipped in with a 20-point display off the bench.
Now 26-20 for the campaign, the Bucks are now five victories shy of the New York Knicks in third place in the Eastern Conference standings and are level on win percentage with the Indiana Pacers just below them.
Off the back of three wins and a defeat from their recently concluded four-game road trip, Monday's hosts will be seeking to enjoy home comfort on their return to their regular court, where they are unbeaten since early December.
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The Memphis Grizzlies showed great resolve to edge out the Houston Rockets in a meeting between two Western Conference contenders, which ended in a 120-119 thriller at the FedExForum on Friday.
Behind by five points heading into the final 100 seconds of the contest, Taylor Jenkins's men went on a 6-0 run to complete a stunning turnaround, thanks in no small part to Jaren Jackson Jr's late four-point surge.
In the absence of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane has continued to deliver the goods following a 24-point display on 11-24 shooting from the field to go along with 12 rebounds and six assists in his 40 minutes of action.
Third in the West, the Grizzlies are rapidly establishing themselves as a team to look out for in the playoffs off the back of an underwhelming season last time out, where they finished bottom but two in the standings.
Unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches against Eastern Conference sides, Monday's visitors will be looking to return to winning ways on enemy territory having been beaten by the New York Knicks in their most recent away outing.
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Team News
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Liam Robbins has been sidelined since the NBA Cup final game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with an ankle problem, and the center is still a fair way off returning to action.
Bobby Portis is set to miss a fifth game on the bounce due to personal reasons, while 20-year-old Tyler Smith is also expected to miss out for the home side.
Cam Spencer is currently nursing a thumb injury, although the guard is set to be re-evaluated in the coming week as he closes in on making his comeback.
Marcus Smart (finger) and Vince Williams Jr (ankle) are also nearing a return, but floor general Ja Morant is likely to miss a couple more games due to a shoulder injury.
Jake Laravia and Santi Aldama shook off respective injury concerns to feature against the Rockets last time out, and both men are expected to suit up for Monday's contest.
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard, Jackson Jr.; Prince, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
Memphis Grizzlies possible starting five:
Bane, Kennard; Wells, Jackson Jr.; Edey
We say: Rockets to win by 4+ points
After winning five games on the stretch between January 15 and 24, the Bucks have seen their momentum slowed down of late but remain a very capable side on their day.
We are backing them to fend off the challenge of their visitors and get the job done in the end.
Adepoju Marvellous
