Anthony Edwards and Damian Lillard are among the keys to today’s League Pass Game of the Day.
Two projected playoff teams square off Wednesday in an interconference clash.
The Milwaukee Bucks (28-24) head to the Twin Cities to face the Minnesota Timberwolves (30-24) in their final tune-up before the All-Star Break.
Here are five things to know going into tipoff.
1. Ant-Man takeover: Anthony Edwards is a well-established superstar but his scoring prowess lately has reached another level. Ant-Man has scored at least 41 points in his last three outings and is shooting 46% from deep in that stretch.
2. Dame Time: Damian Lillard has picked up the scoring slack in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence. Dame is pouring in 33.3 points per game and averaging 9.3 assists per game over the last four. With Antetokounmpo out through the break, it’ll be on Lillard to spark the offense Wednesday.
3. Kuzma answering the call: The recently acquired Kyle Kuzma has been pressed into action right away in light of Antetokounmpo’s absence. Kuzma is coming off his best game as a Buck thus far, Monday, when he scored 21 points against the Warriors.
4. Bucks’ defensive woes: Milwaukee has gone 3-7 in its last 10 and while the offense is doing its job, the defense has had its difficulties. The Bucks rank 29th in defensive rating (121.9) and teams are making 15 three-pointers per game against them over the last 10 games. With the Wolves offense rolling of late, (120.3 ORTG), the Bucks’ defense faces a big test.
5. Important stretch for Minnesota: The Timberwolves draw a back-to-back in the final two days before the break with home matchups against the Bucks and Thunder. A pair of wins would give them five wins in their last six games entering All-Star weekend and an opportunity to move into the top 6 in the West.
