Without Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks lead the Nets 82-76 after three quarters

The Milwaukee Bucks return to action tonight after their first Christmas off in seven years as they host the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum.

Brooklyn cut Milwaukee’s double-digit lead to 71-69 early in the third quarter, but the Bucks did just enough to keep the Nets at bay and took an 82-76 lead heading into the fourth quarter. AJ Green hit two timely shots for five points, preventing the Nets from taking the lead.

Brook Lopez scored 18 points on 7 of 8 shooting in the first half, including 4-for-4 from behind the three-point line, helping the Bucks take a 59-51 lead at halftime. Milwaukee led by as many as 13 with two minutes left in the second quarter, but the Nets closed with a 9-4 run to stay in touch. Brooklyn held on by scoring 16 points off 12 turnovers by Milwaukee.

The Bucks converted seven times, took a 1-6 lead from behind the three-point line and trailed the Nets 27-25 after one quarter. The Nets made four three-pointers in the quarter and took a narrow lead.

The Nets beat the Bucks on Oct. 27 in New York as part of Milwaukee’s 1-6 start to the season, then gave the Bucks a hard time on Dec. 8 when they suffered a five-point loss. But since then, Brooklyn has swapped guard Dennis Schröder, who terrorized Milwaukee’s backcourt with 29- and 34-point attempts.

Brooklyn has lost eight of its last 10 games, including two in a row.

Milwaukee has won two straight and five of its last six games.

Is Giannis playing tonight?

No, according to head coach Doc Rivers. The MVP candidate started game day questionably with back spasms and then became ill with a non-COVID illness. He is the latest Bucks player to fall ill. If there’s any good news, it’s that Rivers said Antetokounmpo is on track to play after missing two straight games due to back spasms.

What is the Bucks’ record without Giannis?

3-1: The Bucks have won two straight without their star, beating Washington on Dec. 21 and Chicago on Dec. 23 because he was sidelined by back spasms.

More:Bobby Portis launches campaign to get AJ Green into three-point contention

Is Damian Lillard playing?

No. The All-Star point guard is also battling an illness. He missed the Bulls’ December 23 game due to the illness, but suffered a strained right calf during the NBA Cup in Las Vegas and missed the December 20–21 games due to this injury. But like Antetokounmpo, Rivers said Lillard has made progress after that injury.

Bucks in dealing with diseases

Since Taurean Prince started against Boston on Dec. 6 — but only played nine minutes — the Bucks have been hit hard by an illness that has been floating around the locker room all month. Khris Middleton was eliminated from the NBA Cup Finals on December 17th. Damian Lillard, AJ Johnson and Chris Livingston were excluded on December 23rd and Giannis Antetokounmpo was added to the list on Thursday afternoon. Aside from missing games, it was clear that some players were also struggling with colds.

Still, the Bucks are 6-3 so far in December, a record that doesn’t include their win over Oklahoma City for the NBA Cup title.

Bucks starter

Guards: Andre Jackson Jr., Ryan Rollins
Forwards: Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis Jr.
Center: Brook Lopez

Bucks injury report

AJ Johnson, out (no COVID illness)
Chris Livingston, retired (no COVID illness)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out (no COVID illness)
Damian Lillard, canceled (no COVID illness)
Khris Middleton, probable (surgery on both ankles)

What channel are the Bucks on?

The game begins at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Steve Novak and Melanie Ricks.

Bucks vs. Nets odds, over/under

Milwaukee is the 9.5-point favorite over Brooklyn and the over/under is 207 points, according to BetMGM.

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