Lakers (23–12) vs. Bucks (16–21) | Game 36 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
Date: Friday, Jan. 9
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PST
Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif
TV: ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Lakers are back home on Friday to face the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season after splitting their two-game road trip, beating the Pelicans and falling to the Spurs.
The Lakers enter the contest after a shorthanded 107–91 loss in San Antonio on Wednesday night without LeBron James and still no Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
Luka Dončić notched his fifth triple-double of the season with 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, giving L.A. the only offensive spark throughout most of the game. It took three quarters for another teammate to score in double figures with three starters out of the Lakers' lineup.
The Lakers continue to struggle from 3, ranking third-worst in the NBA in 3-point percentage (33.9%). The Lakers posted their third-worst shooting percentage from deep against the Spurs, going 23% (nine-for-39), which was the ninth time L.A. shot under 30% in a game.
Good news for the Lakers, the cavalry could be coming back. James and Hachimura were upgraded to questionable on the injury report against the Bucks as Reaves and rookie Adou Thiero remain out.
The Bucks sit at 16–21 for 11th in the East. Drama still hovers over Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo with loud rumors that the two-time MVP could request a trade this season.
However, Antetokounmpo shut down those rumors this week, saying he'd "never" ask for a trade and it's not in his nature to do so.
Antetokounmpo continues to wreak havoc against defenses, posting 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 29 games this season. Starting guard Ryan Rollins has been a great piece alongside the Greek Freak, producing beyond his three-year, $12M contract with 17.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 37 games.
The Bucks have won four of their last games, with Antetokounmpo leading the team in scoring in five of those contests. Milwaukee is 7-12 on the road and is coming off a seven-point road loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Bucks have the 21st-rated (113.7) offense and the 18th-rated (115.9) defense in the NBA. Here are some notable (good and meh) rankings of where they sit among the league.
Milwaukee currently sits:
25 in points (113.3)
2nd in 3-point shooting (39.6%)
4th in FG% (48.6%)
8th in points a game (119.3)
2nd worst in rebounding (40.4 per contest)
2nd worst in free throw attempts (20.7 per contest)
Last in FT% (73.9%)
Last in second chance points (11.5)
Injury Report
Lakers:
LeBron James (right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis): Questionable
Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness): Questionable
Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Out
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
Threads for the Game
The Lakers will rock their purple Lakers Statement Edition uniform at home, while the Bucks will wear their white Association Edition uniform.
Next Matchup
The Lakers will travel north to face the Sacramento Kings on Monday.