NBA Matchups: December 29

MIL @ CHA | PHX @ WAS | GSW @ BKN | DEN @ MIA | ORL @ TOR | MIN @ CHI | IND @ HOU | NYK @ NOP | ATL @ OKC | CLE @ SAS | DAL @ POR

Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets

Team Totals: Bucks 115.3, Hornets 112.8

Injury Report: Gary Trent Jr. (Q, calf), Kon Knueppel (O, ankle), Ryan Kalkbrenner (O, elbow), Mason Plumlee (O, groin), Sion James (Q, illness)

Bucks projected starters: Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, A.J. Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner

Hornets projected starters: LaMelo Ball, Sion James, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate

Doc quotes: Said they were right on it with the Giannis 25-minute limit, said the guards have to know about how the spacing works with Giannis, said the guards fit in nicely with Giannis (Rollins, KPJ), said he’s not too worried about how Giannis looked in his return.

Lee quotes: Said Kon rolled his ankle and he didn’t have an update, said Saluan “has totally embraced his role” for them.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Bucks were back on track in their last game against the Bulls with Giannis erupting for 29 points in his 25 minutes. Their defense was excellent, as they were able to keep the Bulls out of the paint, but their defense is basically the same with Giannis on/off. They have not rebounded the ball well, and they’ve been a team that gives up off-ball shooting. There are a lot of ways for the Hornets to get their offense going, even with Kon Knueppel out. For the Hornets, they have some pretty clear weaknesses with some terrible on-ball defense, and they should be a lot worse in the paint with such a thin center stable. They also don’t help off to create a lot of opportunities for the on-ball Bucks.

Great matchups: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brandon Miller

Good matchups: Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins

Bad matchups: Myles Turner, Miles Bridges

Phoenix Suns at Washington Wizards (back end)