It is East versus West as the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Utah Jazz in their upcoming regular-season game. It will mark the third straight home game for the Bucks, whereas it is the opposite for the Jazz, as they enter their fourth successive road game. 

Venue: Fiserv Forum

Time: 8:00 PM ET (January 8, 2021)

Right now, the Bucks are in a better place than the Jazz. Giannis Antetokounmpo has got his franchise off to a winning start, while Utah is not finding it easy with their All-Star pairing of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Utah Jazz – Injury Updates and Lineups

Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a dangerous team to play against, as they are in prime form at the moment. They’re high on confidence after having won their previous three games, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the scoring sheet as usual. 

Khris Middleton is looking to be an offensive threat once again, but the team is barred by a few injuries ahead of their game against Utah. Pat Connaughton is set to miss his second straight game due to a groin strain, and that is also the case with rookie Sam Merril, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Furthermore, 30-year-old Torrey Craig (nasal fracture) is sidelined as well, leaving Mike Budenholzer without three quality bench players. 

Possible Lineup

Jrue Holiday (G)

Donte DiVincenzo (G)

Khris Middleton (F)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (F) 

Brook Lopez (C) 

Jazz

Utah has currently played eight games in the regular season, and they’re even in terms of wins and losses. It is essential for Rudy Gobert to fire big on the offensive end when they take on Milwaukee, even though the Jazz have other attacking players to replace his dominance. 

The Jazz have two players who are questionable for Friday’s game against the Bucks. Derrick Favors (knee) and Joe Ingels (sore right Achilles) are listed as probable, while 23-YO Juwan Morgan and Jarrell Brantley will miss the fixture. 

Possible Lineup

Mike Conley (G)

Donovan Mitchell (G)

Bojan Bogdanovic (F) 

Royce O’Neale (F) 

Rudy Gobert (C) 

Also Read | ‘Baguette Biyombo’: Shaquille O’Neal Continues His Slander, Despite Rudy Gobert’s Efforts to End Beef

Prediction

This game will certainly be an exciting watch due to the talents that will ball it out on the court. Rudy Gobert’s defense on Giannis will prove to be a defining factor, as will the Bucks’ tactics to limit Donovan Mitchell. 

Mitchell is Utah’s leading scorer for this season, but Gobert is not even attempting even an average of ten shots per game. Unless the big man lives up to his expectations, the Bucks have got this win under their belt. We’re predicting that the Milwaukee Bucks will overpower the Utah Jazz in this one! 

Also Read | Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Why He Re-Signed with the Milwaukee Bucks