Thunder Poised to Dominate Bucks Before NBA All-Star Break
The Milwaukee Bucks hit the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup that’s drawing attention for more than just the standings. Both teams are coming off big wins this week—Milwaukee edged past Orlando 116-108, while Oklahoma City routed Phoenix 136-109—but injuries and current form could tip the scales dramatically tonight.
The Bucks are limping into this game without Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a calf injury and Ryan Rollins, out with a foot issue. That’s a massive blow to a team that’s already struggled away from home, posting a 10-18 record on the road. Meanwhile, the Thunder are missing key pieces too, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, all sitting out with various injuries. Despite these absences, Oklahoma City has been dominant on their home floor, boasting a 22-5 record and they’ve won the last four meetings with Milwaukee.
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The historical matchup is evenly split at 77 wins apiece, but the recent trend favors the Thunder. Oddsmakers reflect that confidence, making Oklahoma City an 11.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 213.5 points. Analysts point to the Under as a likely outcome, noting that scoring has been modest in recent head-to-head games and in Milwaukee’s last outings.
From a player perspective, Milwaukee will lean heavily on Cameron Thomas, projected to lead the team with nearly 20 points. But he won’t have much support beyond a few other contributors hitting double digits. On the Thunder side, Chet Holmgren is expected to match Thomas’s scoring output, while five other teammates are projected to contribute significantly, giving Oklahoma City a more balanced offensive attack.
What makes this game especially significant is timing. This is the last matchup before the NBA All-Star break, a chance for both teams to gain momentum heading into the midseason showcase. For Milwaukee, a win could restore confidence on the road and help stabilize their playoff positioning. For Oklahoma City, dominating at home reinforces their status as a Northwest Division leader and could send a message to the rest of the league about their depth, even without Gilgeous-Alexander.
Expect intensity, adjustments and careful rotation management from both coaches. The Bucks will try to stay competitive without Giannis, while the Thunder aim to capitalize on home advantage and maintain their winning streak.
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