Thunder at Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks look to post their fifth consecutive victory when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The NBA-best Bucks became the first team in the NBA to reach the 50-win mark when they recorded a 108-97 road win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the favorite to win his second straight MVP award and he says his club thrives because of its simple approach. "We just come out and try to do our job," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "We have a winning culture. So it doesn't matter if you are hurt, it doesn't matter if you are tired - the next guy up is ready to go. Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to win, and that's why we win games." Oklahoma City recovered from a 19-point, third-quarter deficit to post a 112-108 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The Thunder have won five straight games and 14 of the past 17 to move a season-best 15 games over .500.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN, FS Wisconsin, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE THUNDER (37-22): Coach Billy Donovan said his squad was outplayed by the Kings over the first 30 minutes of the contest while playing "back on our heels." Oklahoma City turned the game around while on a 22-4 surge to close the third quarter and fought off Sacramento down the stretch in an effort that impressed veteran forward Danilo Gallinari. "Our intensity and character are two things that are getting better and better," Gallinari said afterward. "That's what you want, especially in the second part of the season."
ABOUT THE BUCKS (50-8): Veteran forward Marvin Williams had nine points and five rebounds against the Raptors in his fifth game with the club and he said he is impressed with the club's approach. "Guys here are very relaxed," Williams told reporters. "Honestly, much more relaxed than I thought they would be before I got here. It's their comfort zone so it's kind of fun to watch. Their preparation - they are very relaxed and focused about how they go about doing thing." Antetokounmpo recorded 19 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists against Toronto while All-Star small forward Khris Middleton tallied 22 points.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Antetokounmpo registered 35 points and 16 rebounds to help the Bucks notch a 121-119 road victory over the Thunder on Nov. 10.
2. Milwaukee PG Eric Bledsoe scored 17 points against Toronto for his 13th straight double-digit outing.
3. Gallinari scored 24 points for the second straight game Thursday and has exceeded 20 in four of the past seven contests.