The Milwaukee Bucks face a steepening climb to reach the play-in tournament, but they can get a foothold for a positive step up by beating the Atlanta Hawks tonight at Fiserv Forum.
With only 22 regular-season games remaining, the Bucks (26-34) must make up three games in the loss column to Atlanta (31-31) and Charlotte (31-31). The Bucks already own the season tiebreaker with the Hornets, however, and play one additional game against the Hawks on March 14. Beating Atlanta two more times is critical for Milwaukee, which is currently on a three-game losing streak.
“I just know that every game after all-star break for us right now is a playoff game,” Bucks center Myles Turner said following the team’s afternoon shootaround on March 4. “I feel like we kind of have to control our own destiny. You can try to chase teams that are above us or what not, but if you don’t win games it doesn’t really matter. So, if we keep stacking wins, keep stacking wins, stacking wins is what we’re kind of preaching that all kind of takes care of itself.”
Is Giannis playing?
Yes.
The Bucks’ star returned from a right calf strain on March 2, playing just under 26 minutes and scoring 19 points on 7 of 18 shooting. He had missed the previous 15 games with the injury.
He is, however, on a minute restriction. After breaking down his substitution pattern following the game against Boston, Antetokounmpo said, “I just gotta trust the coaching staff, trust the training staff and slowly, slowly get back in rhythm and get back to where I want to be.”
Jalen Johnson returns to Milwaukee as an all-star
The last time the Atlanta Hawks were in Milwaukee, they lost by two points on Jan. 19, and Jalen Johnson scored 28 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had six assists for his team. It was one of many big nights in the first half of the season that led the 24-year-old to earn his first all-star berth in February.
The all-star nod was a crowning of sorts for Johnson, as the Hawks had already traded four-time all-star Trae Young to Washington, effectively handing the keys of the franchise to the Wausau native, who prepped at Sun Prairie and Nicolet High Schools.
Johnson signed a 5-year, $150 million extension in 2024 and has not disappointed in that regard. He comes into the game against the Bucks averaging 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
He’s also keeping Atlanta square in the play-in mix despite the fact the team moved on from Young and prized offseason acquisition Kristaps Porziņģis.
What time is the Bucks game?
Tip off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT. Wednesday, March 4.
Turner on the late start: “It’s tough, it doesn’t really happen very much throughout the year but again, we’re professional athletes, our job is to adjust. Nothing a little coffee can’t fix.”
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be simulcast. ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco, Jay Bilas and Vanessa Richardson on the call, will carry the game nationally. The game will also be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Milwaukee Bucks injury report
Bucks probable starting lineup
NBA playoff standings
The Bucks are out of the postseason picture entirely. Here are the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference heading into game play on March 4:
No. 7: Orlando (32-28): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. The Bucks host the Magic on March 8.
No. 8: Miami (33-29): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Miami on March 12.
No. 9: Charlotte (31-31): The Bucks own the tiebreaker over the Hornets having won the season series 3-1.
No. 10: Atlanta (31-31): The Bucks lead the season series 1-0. The Bucks host the Hawks on March 4 and then travel to Atlanta on March 14.
No. 11: Milwaukee (26-34): The Bucks have had better luck against the play-in teams to date, as they are just 5-14 against the top six seeds in the conference.
Bucks vs. Hawks odds
Atlanta is a 1.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 231.5 points per BetMGM.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks injury report: New starting lineup; latest on Giannis
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
