Bucks vs Mavericks: Injury Updates, Team News, Match Preview & Predictions

Fixture: Milwaukee Bucks vs Dallas Mavericks

Date & Time: Monday, December 16, 2019, 8:00 PM ET (Tuesday, 1:00 AM GMT)

Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee

Preview-

The absence of 20-year old Luka Doncic due to an ankle injury will be the talking point when Milwaukee Bucks take on Dallas Mavericks. Such has been the impact that the last year’s NBA Rookie of the year is having in his sophomore season. Unfortunately, he won’t be featuring on Monday to help his team take on the Eastern Conference leaders whose last loss looks quite a distance away. The Bucks have now won 18 games and only Los Angeles Lakers have matched their 23-3 record in the season.

The Mavericks, on their part, have also managed to have a decent season so far. Their win-loss record of 17-8 keeps them third in the Western Conference. One of their biggest wins of the season came in Los Angeles a few weeks back when they ended the Lakers’ run of 10 consecutive victories. They will now be looking to end an 18-game winning streak, but will be without their chief architect.

Injury updates & team news-

Milwaukee Bucks-

Injuries: Eric Bledsoe (Right fibula fracture)- Out, Dragan Bender (Ankle)- Out

Expected starting line up: Wesley Matthews, Donte DiVincenzo, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

Dallas Mavericks-

Injuries: Luka Doncic (Ankle)- Out

Expected starting line up: Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Kristaps Przingis, Dwight Powell

Predictions-

After Doncic left the game two minutes into the game against Heat, Jalen Bruson made a good replacement as he led in assists with eight on the night. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavericks in points with 28, while Porzingis in rebounds with 14. They will be up against Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose performance at both ends of the court has made him a serious contender for back-to-back MVPs. In ansence of Doncic, who is averaging 29.3 points, 8.9 assists and 9.6 rebounds per game, the Mavericks might find it difficult to stop the Bucks’ incredible winning run.