The Milwaukee Bucks remain unbeaten in the NBA in-season tournament, boasting an impressive 2-0 record in East Group A tournament play. In addition, their latest victory against the Charlotte Hornets marked their third straight win. The same game also saw Giannis Antetokounmpo return to action after his absence from Wednesday’s 128-112 win over the Toronto Raptors.

However, their next matchup against the Dallas Mavericks will be a true test of their strength this season. It marks their first encounter with the dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, and fans on both sides will want the bragging rights. However, one snag is that the Bucks will play the second leg of their third back-to-back, which puts the availability of Giannis, who has recently recovered from an injury, into question.

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo suit up tonight vs. the Mavericks?

The Bucks snatched a convincing 130-99 win over the Hornets. The Spectrum Center saw Giannis make his much-awaited return from a brief injury. He had missed the previous game, his first this season, because of a strained right calf. Giannis contributed 16 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in 28 minutes to help his team steer past the struggling Hornets. However, the Bucks will now have their hands full when they meet the formidable Dallas Mavericks squad.

Fortunately for Brew City, they will have their talisman, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to spearhead the team to its fourth consecutive victory. There is no mention of Giannis on the Bucks’ injury report, showing that he will lace up for tonight’s clash. However, keep checking for any game-time updates.

Another element that adds a layer of intrigue to the thrilling matchup is the return of Kyrie Irving. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd informed the reporters that except for Maxi Kleber the rest of the team is “good to go”.

Therefore, Kyrie, who was sidelined for Thursday’s game with a left foot sprain, will also take the court alongside Luka.

The Bucks will have their work cut out

The Bucks’ defense has been underwhelming this season after they traded away their defensive stalwart, Jrue Holiday. They have a Defensive Rating of 114.2, which is 21st in the league. That’s a far cry from their Defensive Rating of 110.9, fourth in the league last season. Therefore, the Mavs will look to exploit the Bucks’ defensive struggles. To compensate for the defensive backslide, the Bucks will rely heavily on their dynamic tandem of Giannis and Damian Lillard.

Read More: Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Unlocks an “Aggressive” Jrue Holiday by Reminding of His Bucks Past

Another cause of concern for the Bucks is that they will play a back-to-back game tonight. The Mavs will come fresh following Thursday’s 130-117 win over the Washington Wizards. Although none of the starters in Milwaukee played over 33 minutes, fatigue might play a role tonight. Tonight’s game promises an intense showdown, with both teams unleashing their offensive firepower. What are your predictions for tonight’s contest? Let us know in the comments!

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