Global superstars go head-to-head on Thursday night, as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs host Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks at Frost Bank Center.
The Bucks (17–23, 11th East) recently welcomed back the Greek Freak, though they’ve won just five of nine games since his return and enter off back-to-back losses. The Spurs (27–13, 3rd West) have dropped six of ten since their Christmas Day triumph in Oklahoma City, a brutal stretch capped by a 21-point beatdown in… Oklahoma City.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Milwaukee Bucks
- Out: Taurean Prince (Neck)
San Antonio Spurs
- Out: Devin Vassell (Adductor)
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. San Antonio enters as a 7.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Milwaukee sits as a +235 underdog. The game’s total is set at 225.5 points.
Bucks vs. Spurs Preview
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the Bucks seemingly sparked a franchise turnaround, but the honeymoon phase didn’t last long. They’ve gone just 5–4 with two-time MVP back in the lineup, a disappointing stretch illustrated by Antetokounmpo booing back at Milwaukee fans during Tuesday’s 33-point blowout loss to the Timberwolves.
Still, there’s no denying that the Bucks are significantly more dangerous with the Greek Freak on the floor. He’s averaging 29.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists since his return — fueling the NBA’s ninth-best offense during that span.
However, Milwaukee has continued to stall on the other end, particularly around the perimeter. Since Dec. 27, the Bucks have allowed the league’s highest opponent three-point percentage and the fourth-most made triples per game.
San Antonio Spurs Preview
The Spurs played Grinch to the Thunder on Christmas Day, stealing a game from the defending champs for the third time in as many tries. Since then, they’ve had a change of heart — generously handing opponents six wins in their last ten games, including a 21-point blowout in Oklahoma City. With that, their loss total has grown nearly three sizes!
San Antonio has remained formidable on the defensive end, posting the NBA’s fourth-best defensive rating during the slump. But the offense has completely stalled, plummeting to a league-low level.
While Victor Wembanyama — averaging 25.3 points on 51.5% shooting since Dec. 27 — has held strong, the Spurs are scoring the league’s third-fewest points per game in that span. They rank dead last in field-goal percentage and 29th in three-point efficiency, knocking down just over 10 triples a night.
Bucks vs. Spurs Pick, Best Bet
While the Spurs have sputtered on offense lately, Thursday presents an opportunity to find their rhythm against a Milwaukee defense that couldn’t guard a three, even if its franchise superstar’s future depended on it — and at this point, it might.
Expect Victor Wembanyama and the exceptionally deep San Antonio roster to carve up Giannis Antetokounmpo’s one-man band and roll to a spread-covering victory at home on Thursday night.
