The business end of the season is here. The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves come into their final matchup of the season in red-hot form. Minnesota comes into this game looking for their sixth victory on the bounce, fresh off a road win over the Philadelphia 76ers. During this run, they have come up against difficult opposition, most notably surviving a humongous Nikola Jokić onslaught in a 140-139 victory last Wednesday.

Jokic produced a 61-point triple-double, but it was the likes of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards that ensured Minnesota got over the line. This time around, they will most probably contend with another unstoppable force of basketball, in red-hot form. 

For that to happen, Minnesota will once again look at Randle and Edwards to get them over the line. The former missed 13 games in February due to a groin strain but is available to play. The same is true for his partner in crime, Anthony Edwards, who is himself in red-hot form. The 23-year-old scored 37 against the 76ers, converting 6 of his 13 3-pointers. Still, the Timberwolves have slight concern in the form of Terrence Sharron Jr., listed as ‘questionable’ due to a groin injury for this one.

As for the Milwaukee Bucks, they have multiple injuries to worry about.

As the playoffs beckon, the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have won four on the trot. 4th in the West, the Bucks have seen Giannis produce 71 points in his last two appearances. More notably, he had 15 rebounds and 10 assists against the Heat, along with 17 rebounds and 20 assists against the 76ers.

Now unfortunately for them, Giannis has been listed as questionable due to shoulder tendinopathy. 

Alongside Giannis, Pat Connaughton is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury. Damian Lillard remains out as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, with hopes of returning to basketball activities within the next seven to ten days. Meanwhile, Jericho Sims underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks, according to ESPN. 

In such a scenario, whether Minnesota can contend with Giannis might as well decide the game. They have shown the ability to outscore and outfight opponents, and have in Rudy Gobert a player who can contain the Greece International. However, things may as well come down to outscoring the Bucks, something the Timberwolves do have the players for.

With the injuries cleared, let’s see how the Timberwolves have arranged their lineups for the show.

Bucks’ depth chart

With Damian Lillard and Pat Connaughton sidelined, the Bucks may turn to a younger backcourt, likely starting Ryan Rollins at point guard alongside AJ Green at shooting guard. Kyle Kuzma and Giannis Antetokounmpo are poised to be the forwards, while Brook Lopez starts at the Center:

Timberwolves’ depth chart

With Terrence Shannon Jr. sidelined the Timberwolves are expected to rely on Mike Conley at point guard and Anthony Edwards at shooting guard. Rudy Gobert will be the Center, while Jaden McDaniels starts alongside Julius Randle as the forward.

Minnesota themselves are in the tightest of fights for the 5th seed. The Grizzlies, Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors have an identical record (46-32), with the Nuggets just a win ahead. This means that each of the last 4 matches of the Regular Season may prove critical. Minnesota knows that the play-in is also not out of the question, and they face a stern test against an in-form Bucks.

The match tips off at 8 PM ET, at the Fiserv Forum.