Team Profile
Milwaukee Bucks
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109.9 17thOffensive Rating
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110.4 15thDefensive Rating
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-0.5 18thNet Rating
2024 Team Stats
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Points per game111.3 21st
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Points per game Against112.2 18th
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Rebounds per game43.7 18th
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Assists per game23.2 26th
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (rest) isn't spotted on the team's injury report leading into Wednesday's contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks held Middleton out of Sunday's overtime win over the Sacramento Kings to manage his injured left knee that he underwent surgery on this past offseason, but he'll be back in the mix for the start of Milwaukee's three-game road trip on Wednesday. Andre Jackson Jr. nearly fouled out in 10 minutes of action in Sunday's scoreless spot start, with Pat Connaughton helping fill Middleton's void for 33 minutes and Bobby Portis posting the second double-double in his last three matchups. Middleton is getting his legs back with averages of 17.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.1 threes in 29.9 minutes over his latest 17 outings, but Cleveland is allowing the third-fewest points per game (110.7) this year.
Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. (illness) wasn't listed on the injury report until later Monday evening and he was already ruled out with a non-COVID illness. He's been receiving around 25 minutes a night, so it leaves a big hole in the bench unit. Gradey Dick (thumb) was also ruled out, so the backcourt is pretty thin going into this contest against the Boston Celtics. Dennis Schroder would be the best streaming option off of the bench even though Garrett Temple may get a handful of minutes if needed. Trent has been a quality option for threes this season, but his point and steal totals haven't been as high as normal throughout his six seasons in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis may not be posting the same type of numbers that he did last season, but he's always a threat to go off in any given game. The 28-year-old posted one of his best games of the season en route to a blowout win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The veteran forward finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and one steal while shooting 11-for-18 overall and 5-for-6 from deep. For the fantasy managers that have hung on to him in deeper leagues, this was an amazing sight, but his value in 12-team leagues and fewer hasn't been as great. Portis has even seen fewer minutes this year, so he's still a bit harder to trust in smaller leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin told reporters that Damian Lillard (personal) practiced on Wednesday. "Dame was back, in good spirits and able to practice. He'll be available", Griffin said in reference to Lillard's availability for Thursday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. Lillard was absent from Monday's home loss to the Utah Jazz for personal reasons, but he is back with the team and will keep his absence to a one-game minimum. The 33-year-old seven-time All-Star's numbers have taken a predictable dip around plenty of stars during his first year in Milwaukee, but he is still returning second-round fantasy value while putting up 25.1 points, 6.9 assists, 3.0 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals per game with 91.6% free-throw shooting. Return Lillard to all season-long lineups for Thursday's battle between two Eastern Conference juggernauts.
Washington Wizards guards Delon Wright (quadriceps) and Landry Shamet (hamstring) are both listed as available for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wright is good to go with a left quadriceps contusion and can be a stat-sheet stuffer when given playing time, but the minutes (17.2 per game) haven't been there in 14 games behind starter Tyus Jones this year. Despite 1.6 steals per night, Wright can be ignored in the vast majority of fantasy leagues at the moment. The sharpshooting Shamet missed Washington's past two contests due to a sore left hamstring, but he also has the green light to suit up on Monday. The 26-year-old journeyman is providing 7.3 points and 1.3 threes per game on 37.8% shooting from downtown in 21 appearances as a strict reserve for the Wizards on the campaign, so there's not much to see from a fantasy perspective here at this time.