Tonight the Bucks begin a season long four-game road trip that includes games against the Suns, Blazers, Kings and Clippers. In easily their most grueling month of the season, Milwaukee is in the midst of a stretch that consists of 10/15 teams with above .500 records (not including the Thunder, who welcomed with Bucks into town on Kevin Durant's first home game of the season and a 114-101 defeat). With nine games remaining and seven on the road, Coach Kidd's team has more than enough opportunities to steal a couple games during this west coast trip.
Monday: Bucks at Phoenix Suns (12-13)
Coming off arguably their best win of the season, the Bucks enter their game against the Suns with a great deal of momentum as well as some rest after arriving in Phoenix yesterday. They have been in the city longer than the Suns, who are coming off a 112-88 defeat at the hands of the resurgent Thunder last night in Oklahoma City. Milwaukee brings in a 5-8 road record but will get some help with the absence of leading scorer Goran Dragic (16.1 PPG) who is questionable with a lower back strain. The Suns have dropped five straight games and will be looking to regroup on the second night of a back-to-back. The most intriguing matchup in this game will come at the small forward position where Giannis will most likely go up against PJ Tucker. The Greek Freak plays with a long, athletic frame while Tucker is known for his stocky, aggressive strength he has used to earn a spot in the NBA. It will be very interesting to see who is able to impose their will in this matchup.
Wednesday: Bucks at Portland Trail Blazers (18-6)
After winning 14 of 15, the Blazer are coming off a five-game road trip losing 2 of their last 3 games. They face a hard test tonight at home against the San Antonio Spurs before they face the Bucks on Wednesday. There are few places harder to play than the Moda Center and Milwaukee will have to be clicking on all cylinders to come away with the upset. The matchup to be looking forward to in this game will be at the power forward position where Jabari will meet arguably the best power forward in the game for the first time this season in LaMarcus Aldridge. After holding Blake Griffin to a season-low ten points, Parker should have his hands full with the inside-out game that Aldridge can beat you with. If the Bucks bring their usual high-energy performance, this should be an exciting one.
Thursday: Bucks at Sacramento Kings (11-13)
The possible return of Demarcus Cousins will play a big factor in this game if he is to return but this is definitely a game on the schedule that the Bucks cannot afford to drop. Although the Kings started the season hot (5-1), they have dropped eight of ten and most recently fired their head coach, Mike Malone. It is unclear how the team will react to the move but Milwaukee should be coming into Sacramento at the perfect time to continue the Kings losing ways. Playing in the Western Conference is never easy and they have beaten their share of quality opponents (LAC and SAS) but the Bucks are clearly the better team and if they can get over the challenges of playing on the second night of a back-to-back, they should be able to get out of Sacramento with a W. Rudy Gay has solidified himself as a 20+ scorer but will have his hands full with Giannis in a matchup that should be entertaining on both ends of the floor.
Saturday: Bucks at Los Angeles Clippers (16-7)
The Bucks close out their west coast road trip with the most intriguing matchup of the week. Just a week after their loss in Milwaukee, the Clippers will be looking for revenge on their home court. Not surprisingly, the Clippers were able to rustle a few feathers with yet another team as Matt Barnes and Giannis went back and forth all night. With Giannis getting the last laugh at home, look for Barnes to come out aggressive once again and establish himself against the newly turned 20-year old. It is clear players love playing under the lights at the Staples Center in Los Angeles so although they will be finishing up a long road trip, expect the energy to be there like it has been all season. A matchup to look forward to in this game will come at the point guard position where Brandon Knight was visibly motivated during the game at home and looked to embrace the challenge of playing against one of the elite point guards in Chris Paul, who only had ten points and seven assists. The tone will be set at this position and it will be interesting to see who can establish themselves early on.
