In a rematch of last season’s NBA Cup final, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Thunder shorthanded on Wednesday night, missing both their starting center and second point guard. Myles Turner will sit out with an ankle sprain, while Kevin Porter Jr. is sidelined with a strained oblique. Both played in Monday’s win in Atlanta and have not made a habit of missing recent games.
One can only speculate, which isn’t advisable in the murky world of NBA injuries, but it’s hard not to wonder whether some strategic load management isn’t the guiding factor at play. Beating the Thunder wasn’t likely, anyway.
The only change in the starting lineup should be Bobby Portis trotting out at the five. Where the Bucks will really feel it is in their bench depth. Get ready to dust off the likes of Cole Anthony and Jericho Sims in this one.
Already at a major disadvantage, the Bucks get no help with injury report update
On the season, Turner is averaging is 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 39 percent from three. Porter leads the team with 7.4 assists per game and ranks second at 16.8 points points per game. He is also averaging five boards and 2.1 steals.
The “good” news is that Oklahoma City will also be without a slew of regulars: forward Jalen Williams, guards Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins, and centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams. Owners of the league’s best record at 36-8, however, the Thunder typically make out just fine missing multiple rotation pieces. The reigning champs just have that kind of chemistry and depth up and down the roster. The Bucks have neither.
Rostering MVP repeat favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander certainly helps. With Chet Holmgren at center, the Thunder will have two of the top three players on the court despite missing the third member of their triumvirate, Williams, at small forward.
For the Bucks, what could have been a chance to steal one at home just got a lot less likely missing Turner and Porter. In case anyone thought Oklahoma City’s injuries might cancel out Milwaukee’s, the Thunder are currently 10.5-point road favorites. That’s a point up from the opening line, before the afternoon injury updates brought further clarity. OKC has traveled quite well this season, posting a 16-5 record to the Bucks’ 9-10 mark at home.
At 18-24, still stuck outside the play-in field, Milwaukee needs to stack as many wins as possible to justify an aggressive approach at the trade deadline. The odds won’t be in their favor tonight.
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