Bucks Host Tail-Spinning Trail Blazers on Thursday
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
The Trail Blazers (5-10) looked to have some serious promise headed into the year after a Western Conference Finals appearance last season but it's been a disaster so far. Having five wins across the first 15 games tell you everything you need to know, as this club has been struggling on both ends of the floor. An injury to Zach Collins is the thing that sent this season into a tailspin, as he was expected to take on a much bigger role. That's why they got rid of Al-Farouq Aminu in the offseason but a season-ending shoulder injury to Collins has made these wings extremely thin. That's why Portland decided to take the risk on Carmelo Anthony, who made his debut on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see what he does with this team after taking a year off and it's going to become even tougher with Damian Lillard missing this game because of back issues.
The Bucks (11-3) just scored 135 points on Wednesday and that shows just how scary they can be on that end of the floor. After leading the NBA in scoring last year, they're in the same position this season. That's really no surprise when you see the Giannis Antetokonmpo numbers, averaging 30.3 points, 14 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Not many players are matching averages like that and it's scary that the MVP is seemingly getting better. The next step is to get Khris Middleton back, who's expected to miss another week because of a thigh injury. Getting an All-Star back for a team who's won nine of their last 10 games is a scary thought, as this is truly one of the best teams in the NBA.
Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine games over Portland in total.
The Trail Blazers (5-10) looked to have some serious promise headed into the year after a Western Conference Finals appearance last season but it's been a disaster so far. Having five wins across the first 15 games tell you everything you need to know, as this club has been struggling on both ends of the floor. An injury to Zach Collins is the thing that sent this season into a tailspin, as he was expected to take on a much bigger role. That's why they got rid of Al-Farouq Aminu in the offseason but a season-ending shoulder injury to Collins has made these wings extremely thin. That's why Portland decided to take the risk on Carmelo Anthony, who made his debut on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see what he does with this team after taking a year off and it's going to become even tougher with Damian Lillard missing this game because of back issues.
The Bucks (11-3) just scored 135 points on Wednesday and that shows just how scary they can be on that end of the floor. After leading the NBA in scoring last year, they're in the same position this season. That's really no surprise when you see the Giannis Antetokonmpo numbers, averaging 30.3 points, 14 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Not many players are matching averages like that and it's scary that the MVP is seemingly getting better. The next step is to get Khris Middleton back, who's expected to miss another week because of a thigh injury. Getting an All-Star back for a team who's won nine of their last 10 games is a scary thought, as this is truly one of the best teams in the NBA.
Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine games over Portland in total.
Suns Look To End Two-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns play host to the New Orleans Pelicans, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Thursday evening.
The Suns (7-6) have dropped two in a row, as they are coming off a home loss agains the Celtics, followed by a loss in Sacramento on Tuesday. They have dropped two of their last three games at home and are 5-4 at home this season. The Suns are averaging 115.0 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, and they are shooting 46.6 percent from the field, which is seventh best in the league. The Suns have been dealing with a few injuries lately, as Ricky Rubio (back) missed Monday's contest and only played 16 minutes of action on Tuesday. Rubio remains questionable for action on Thursday. Aron Baynes (hip) missed Tuesday's contest and remains questionable for Thursday. Devin Booker continues to lead the Suns, averaging 25.4 points, while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the Suns' second leading scorer, averaging 17.0 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (5-9) have won two in a row, with home wins over the Warriors and the Trail Blazers. This marks the first game of a three-game road trip for the Pelicans, who are 1-5 on the road this season. After missing a couple of games, Brando Ingram returned to action on Wednesday night for New Orleans and finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, in a win. Ingram is the Pelicans' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 25.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Jrue Holiday is averaging 17.6 points and team highs with 7.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Rookie. Jackson Hayes has been playing well lately, including nine points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals in his last outing. Hayes has logged at least 20 minutes in the last three games for the Pelicans.
The Suns (7-6) have dropped two in a row, as they are coming off a home loss agains the Celtics, followed by a loss in Sacramento on Tuesday. They have dropped two of their last three games at home and are 5-4 at home this season. The Suns are averaging 115.0 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, and they are shooting 46.6 percent from the field, which is seventh best in the league. The Suns have been dealing with a few injuries lately, as Ricky Rubio (back) missed Monday's contest and only played 16 minutes of action on Tuesday. Rubio remains questionable for action on Thursday. Aron Baynes (hip) missed Tuesday's contest and remains questionable for Thursday. Devin Booker continues to lead the Suns, averaging 25.4 points, while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. Kelly Oubre Jr. is the Suns' second leading scorer, averaging 17.0 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (5-9) have won two in a row, with home wins over the Warriors and the Trail Blazers. This marks the first game of a three-game road trip for the Pelicans, who are 1-5 on the road this season. After missing a couple of games, Brando Ingram returned to action on Wednesday night for New Orleans and finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists, in a win. Ingram is the Pelicans' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 25.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Jrue Holiday is averaging 17.6 points and team highs with 7.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Rookie. Jackson Hayes has been playing well lately, including nine points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals in his last outing. Hayes has logged at least 20 minutes in the last three games for the Pelicans.