The Phoenix Suns (39-28, 6th in Western Conference) play their final game of a four-game road trip tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks (43-24, 2nd in Eastern Conference) in their final regular season meeting.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Kevin Durant enters tonight needing 20 points to pass Shaquille O’Neal for eighth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
These two teams last squared off in Phoenix on Feb. 6, a game the Suns won 114-106, as Milwaukee was severely limited by injuries. Already without Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton sprained his ankle during the contest. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 32 points, while Kevin Durant had 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Bradley Beal notched 25 points and 10 rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee.
Middleton will return from this injury for the first time tonight, while Antetokounmpo is a late scratch with a left hamstring injury.
The Suns are coming off a 107-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Friday night. In what turned out to be an ugly game because of more fourth quarter struggles by Phoenix, Devin Booker led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Jusuf Nurkić had 21 rebounds, his second game with 20-plus rebounds, as Phoenix also held Charlotte to 6-for-37 (16.2%) 3-point shooting.
The Bucks also won their last game, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105 Thursday night. Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 32 points and 11 rebounds, as they snapped a stretch of losing three of their last four. However, Milwaukee is now 8-3 since the All-Star break (the Suns are 6-6).
Local Game Information
Start Time: 10:00 a.m. MST
Location: Fiserv Forum
TV Channel: ABC
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream: Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 17, 2024
Betting Odds
Line: MIL -3.5
O/U: 226.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Josh Okogie (lower abdominal strain) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (left hamstring tendinopathy) OUT | Malik Beasley (back spasms) AVAILABLE | MarJon Beauchamp (back spasms) OUT | Chris Livingston (left ankle sprain) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Jae Crowder, Brook Lopez
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Guarding the 3-point line
- Containing dribble penetration
- Limiting turnovers
- Getting out in transition
- Crashing the glass
Prediction
Suns 120 – Bucks 117
This has the chance to be a statement game for the Suns, but it won’t be easy. However, I think they will pull this one out in a close battle. There is a lot of figuring out for Phoenix to do, but I think today can really be that day to showcase to everyone who they are and silence the critics. Milwaukee doesn’t have a great defense, so we will see which version of the Suns shows up today. In no way will this be a bad loss if the Suns can’t pull this out, but like every game they play from here on out, it is one they desperately need.
I think this will go down to the wire, but Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will have bounce back games to lead Phoenix to victory.
Last Meeting (Feb. 6, 2024)
Team Matchup Notes
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Preview: Injury report
Khris Middleton expects to play tomorrow against Suns, Giannis Antetokounmpo questionable
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
