Loading...
The Los Angeles Lakers (40-23, third in Western Conference) continue their road trip with the third of four games when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks (36-28, fourth in Eastern Conference) at Fiserv Forum. The matchup is set for Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 PM ET and will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
The Lakers have experienced a wild season, marked by significant roster changes and recent injury woes. After an impressive eight-game winning streak shortly after the all-star break, they have stumbled, losing their first two games on this current four-game road trip. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, a team 20 games below .500, with a final score of 111-108.
The acquisition of Luka Doncic has been a focal point for the Lakers. Initially on a minutes restriction in February due to injury recovery, Doncic’s performance has surged in March. He’s averaging 29.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game this month, shooting 43% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. In the loss to the Nets, Doncic recorded his second triple-double as a Laker, signaling his growing synergy with the team.
Injuries have been a significant setback for the Lakers. LeBron James is sidelined with a left groin strain and is expected to be out until March 24.
Rui Hachimura will miss his seventh consecutive game due to a knee injury. Additionally, Jaxson Hayes and Dorian Finney-Smith are listed as game-time decisions for the matchup against the Bucks. In the game against the Nets, the Lakers’ starting lineup featured Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, rookie Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent and Alex Len. The bench saw significant contributions from James Vanderbilt, Trey Jemison and Jordan Goodwin. This makeshift lineup struggled defensively, allowing the Nets to secure 16 offensive rebounds, attempt 30 free-throws and shoot 40% from three-point range on 45 attempts.
The Bucks currently hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference and boast a strong home record of 21-11. However, they are coming off back-to-back home losses to the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, and most recently, a devastating Tuesday road loss to the Pacers, where Giannis fouled Tyrese Haliburton on a three-pointer with three seconds remaining, up three. Haliburton made the shot to tie and sank the free throw to win. The Bucks are now 3-3 in March and hold a 7-4 record since the all-star break.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be the cornerstone of the Bucks, averaging 30.9 points, 12 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game while shooting an impressive 60.5% from the field. Damian Lillard complements him, contributing 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game with a 37.8% three-point shooting accuracy on 9.1 attempts per game. The mid-season addition of Kyle Kuzma, acquired in exchange for Khris Middleton, has added a youthful third wheel to the roster. Kuzma is averaging 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game since joining Milwaukee.
The Bucks have faced their own challenges with roster consistency. Bobby Portis is serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy and will be unavailable until April 8. Despite this, the Bucks’ star power, especially at home, remains formidable. Antetokounmpo averages 32.4 points per game at Fiserv Forum and Lillard’s three-point shooting exceeds 40% at home.
The upcoming matchup presents a compelling narrative of two teams dealing with adversity. The Lakers’ injury-plagued roster faces a daunting task against a Bucks team eager to rebound from recent setbacks (three-game losing streak).
Defensively, the Lakers rank 16th in opponent points in the paint and 20th in second-chance points allowed. The absence of key players like LeBron James and potentially Jaxson Hayes, along with Anthony Davis no longer being on the roster, exacerbates their vulnerability in the interior. This scenario sets the stage for Antetokounmpo to exploit the Lakers’ weakened frontcourt and lack of physicality. Giannis is coming off a 19-point performance against the Pacers, and given his dominant home performance, it’s plausible to anticipate a significant contribution from him in both scoring and rebounding.
Offensively, the Lakers will rely heavily on Doncic to orchestrate plays and generate scoring opportunities. The Bucks’ defense, which tends to allow a high volume of three-point attempts, could provide openings for shooters like Doncic, Knecht and Reaves. However, the Lakers’ recent defensive lapses, coupled with the Bucks’ offensive firepower, suggest that Milwaukee holds the advantage in this contest.
In summary, the Lakers face an uphill battle against this star-driven Bucks team. While Doncic’s recent form offers a glimmer of hope, the collective strength and home-court advantage of Milwaukee positions them favorably for this encounter, with Giannis in particular expected to step up for the hosts.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.