Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors
Chase Center
Milwaukee Bucks +5.5-110
LLostFinal 113-120
The read
TALE OF THE TAPE
Milwaukee Bucks Golden State Warriors Record 16-20 → 19-18 Net Rating -1.9 → +1.2 Pace 100.3 → 102.6 Home/Away 7-11 → 11-5 Key Injuries Prince (OUT) Green (GTD)
Gary's Take The Milwaukee Bucks are finally looking like the team they were supposed to be before the early-season chaos. With Giannis Antetokounmpo back at full strength and averaging over 30 points in his last five outings, the Bucks have won four of their last five and are playing with a level of cohesion we haven't seen all year. The addition of Myles Turner has given them a legitimate defensive anchor, which will be critical tonight against a Warriors team that relies on Jimmy Butler's ability to attack the rim.
Golden State is in a precarious spot. While they are dominant at Chase Center, the health of Draymond Green is the massive elephant in the room. Green is questionable with an ankle sprain, and without him, the Warriors have no answer for Giannis. Even if he plays, he won't be 100 percent, and asking a compromised Draymond or a rookie like Quinten Post to wall off the paint against a surging Giannis is a recipe for disaster.
Furthermore, the Bucks have a rest advantage and already beat the Warriors by double digits earlier this season. While Steph Curry is always capable of a nuclear performance at home, the Bucks' young backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins has been surprisingly disciplined. I expect a high-scoring, close affair where the Bucks' interior size and Giannis's gravity eventually wear down a thinner Warriors frontcourt. Taking the points with a team that has the best player on the floor and superior momentum is the sharp play. I like the Bucks to keep this within two possessions or win outright.
Injuries noted
Milwaukee Bucks: Taurean Prince (Out) — Milwaukee labeled Prince as out indefinitely after he underwent surgery Nov. 13 to address a herniated disc in his neck. Approximately six weeks later, the Bucks haven't yet offered a more official timeline for Prince's return, but the team's decision to apply for a DPE implies that he's effectively being viewed as out for the season. Ultimately, an NBA-designated physician would need to concur with the Bucks' assessment that Prince is unlikely to return before June 15 in order for Milwaukee to be granted a DPE, which would enable to the team to sign a player to a one-year deal worth about $1.7 million -- half of Prince's salary -- or less. Before being shut down after undergoing surgery, Prince had appeared in the Bucks' first eight games of the season and averaged 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.0 assists and 0.8 steals in 21.0 minutes per contest.
Golden State Warriors: LJ Cryer (Questionable) — Back; Seth Curry (Out) — Curry is set to miss an extended period due to a nerve issue. The veteran sharpshooter has seen the court just twice this season, so his absence shouldn't affect the Golden State rotation. He'll hope to return to the hardwood by mid-January.; Draymond Green (Day-To-Day) — Green is dealing with a left ankle sprain and is in jeopardy of missing Wednesday's contest. If the veteran big man is ultimately ruled out, Gui Santos, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis are candidates for an uptick in minutes.; Gary Payton II (Day-To-Day) — Payton may have tweaked his left ankle during the Warriors' 103-102 loss to the Clippers on Monday, when he finished with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block over 15 minutes. If he's unable to play Wednesday, then Will Richard, De'Anthony Melton and Buddy Hield would be in line for more minutes off the bench.
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- Board stored January 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM ET.
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Props on this game
1Bobby PortisOVER 16.5 Points Rebounds Points Rebounds-125
LActual 12
Bobby Portis is a walking double-double threat off the bench, and tonight he's licking his chops against a Golden State frontcourt that's undersized and potentially missing Draymond Green. Look at the numbers—Bobby has cleared this 16.5 line in five straight games, and it hasn't even been close in most of them.
The Bucks are struggling on the glass as a team, which only forces Portis to be more aggressive when he's on the floor. He's the heart and soul of that second unit, and with the Warriors' bench lacking a true physical presence, Portis should feast in the paint.
I expect him to hit this line by the end of the third quarter as he cleans up the boards and gets his usual share of putbacks and mid-range looks.
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