The Bucks enter tonight’s matchup against the Hawks with a seven-game win streak.
Two of the hottest teams in the league – and 2024 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinalists – meet in Milwaukee on Wednesday night (8 ET, League Pass). Will the Atlanta Hawks extend their win streak to five? Or will the Milwaukee Bucks secure their eighth straight win?
Here are five things to know to get ready for this Eastern Conference matchup.
1. Bucks keep rolling: Despite a slow start to the season, the Bucks have won nine of their last 10 games. They also came ready to chase the NBA Cup, clinching East Group B against the Pistons on Tuesday. They’ll try to carry that momentum into tonight as they finish their back-to-back on their home court.
2. Atlanta is on Milwaukee’s tail: The Hawks are on a four-game win streak and sit right behind the Bucks at sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Having lost their last two games against Milwaukee, and hoping to improve their conference rank, the Hawks will be hungry for a win tonight.
3. Jalen Johnson comes home: The Wausau, Wisconsin native is ready for tonight’s battle. Averaging 20 points ppg, 9.8 rpg, and 5.5 apg, Johnson is having a great season so far. He hosted his first youth basketball camp over the offseason in the greater Milwaukee area and still supports his roots here.
4. The dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard: Tuesday’s 128-107 win over the Pistons showcased what the Bucks’ brain trust envisioned when it traded for Lillard. Antetokoumpo had 28 points, while Lillard had 27 points of his own. Together, this two-headed monster is averaging 58.7 ppg, 16.2 rpg, and 14.3 apg. You’ll want to see what they cook up tonight.
5. Hawks are simply fun to watch: You’re likely to see a complete team effort from the Hawks. Eight players are averaging double digits, one of them being Dyson Daniels, who averages 13.8 ppg and 3.1 spg. Zachharie Risacher is in the race for Kia Rookie of the Year and De’Andre Hunter is having the best season of his career so far.
