In their final outing before the NBA All-Star break, the Milwaukee Bucks head to Target Center to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Both teams head into this one seeking to bounce back from respective defeats last time out, as the home side were bested by the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the away side came up short against the Golden State Warriors.
Match preview
© Imago
Back on the road for the first time in 11 days after a five-game homestretch, the Minnesota Timberwolves saw their three-match winning run nipped in the bud by the Cavaliers, who claimed a 128-107 triumph in Tuesday's meeting at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
In one of the most one-sided first quarters this season, Chris Finch's men were down 18 inside the opening 12 minutes and saw that deficit extended by a further eight points over the subsequent two quarters as they trailed for just under 46 of the 48 minutes.
Despite the defeat, All-Star Anthony Edwards delivered a third straight 40-point performance as he tallied a game-high 44 points on 13-28 shooting, including 8-15 from beyond the arc in 37 minutes of action.
As far as playoff contention is concerned, the Timberwolves are right in the mix in a tightly packed Western Conference where they sit sixth in the standings, although a couple of teams in and around currently have games in hand.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit that have got the better of this fixture more often than not of late, with three victories from the most recent four editions, including a 112-107 win just under a year ago.
With a meeting against the Oklahoma City Thunder to follow Thursday's involvement, the home side will be keen to make an immediate return to winning ways as they look to gain some momentum heading into the upcoming hiatus.
© Imago
The Bucks put on one of their best performances this term to see off the Philadelphia 76ers and record a second win in seven outings, but that would prove to be only a temporary reprieve following Tuesday's 125-111 loss to the Warriors.
An enthralling first half left Doc Rivers's men with a seven-point gap to make up at the interval, and they did manage to move within two points of their opponents with 10 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter before giving up a 22-5 run, which effectively ended the game as a contest.
In the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been replaced by Trae Young for the All-Star game, Damian Lillard was on song for the Bucks once again as he followed up his 43 points against the 76ers with another 38 last time out.
From a position of relative comfort, the Bucks have now dropped down to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings and are currently in danger of dropping out of the automatic playoff places should results not improve over the coming matches.
Thursday's visitors will head to Minnesota aiming to get themselves going on enemy territory off the back of four defeats from their last five away involvements, either side of a 112-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
Team News
© Imago
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined for the Bucks with a calf problem which has seen him miss four straight games and will keep him out of Thursday's affair.
Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez are both expected to feature for the home side here after shaking off respective injury concerns to start against the Warriors last time out.
Donte DiVincenzo is ruled out for the Minnesota Timberwolves with a toe problem, while Julius Randle is unfit to play any part here due to a groin problem.
The home side will also be without the services of Jesse Edwards (ankle), although point guard Mike Conley could make his return to action from a finger issue.
Minnesota Timberwolves possible starting five:
Edwards, Alexander-Walker; McDaniels, Reid; Gobert
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard, Jackson Jr.; Prince, Kuzma; Lopez
We say: Timberwolves to win by 4+ points
The Bucks' inconsistencies have seen them fall off the pace in recent weeks, and the Timberwolves have a good chance of seeing off their visitors. We are backing the home side to emerge victorious when all is said and done.
Adepoju Marvellous
