THE Milwaukee Bucks visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, with tip-off at 10 p.m. ET. This will be the second and final game of their season series, with the Bucks winning 143-142 on January 14, and it is part of the NBA’s seven-game slate.
The Bucks, 42-23, are second in the East, having won their third straight road game, a 124-117 victory over the LA Clippers on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 69 points, 14 rebounds and 21 assists.
Meanwhile, the Kings, 36-27, are seventh in the West, losing their previous game 112-104 to the Houston Rockets at home on Sunday. Domantas Sabonis had 25 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Sacramento Kings Prediction, Preview, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips
The game between the Bucks and Kings will be broadcast locally on NBCSCA and Bally Sports WI for home and away coverage, respectively.
It will also be available to stream live on NBA League Pass and Fubo TV, which allows viewers to access NBA TV for a one-week free trial.
Spread: Bucks -2.5 vs. Kings +2.5
Money line: Bucks -136 vs. Kings +120
Total top and bottom: Bucks O 236.5 vs. Kings U 237
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Sacramento Kings Preview
The Bucks rank seventh in field goal percentage, hitting 49.1 percent of their shots. However, their performance at the free throw line leaves a lot to be desired; they are 19th in the league with 77.2% free throw shooting.
This is especially disappointing given that Milwaukee is second in the league in free throws attempted per game, with 25.1, and fourth in free throws made, with an average of 19.4. This gap suggests the team is missing a significant opportunity to capitalize on its chances at the line.
The team’s win Sunday ended a two-game losing streak. The next game against Sacramento marks the conclusion of a four-game road trip, during which the Bucks maintained a 17-16 road record.
The Sacramento Kings have found themselves struggling in several key areas this season.
Although ranked 10th in field goal percentage (40.4%), the team’s performance at the free throw line leaves much to be desired, as they languish at the bottom of the rankings with a success rate of 73.6%.
Defensively, the challenges persist, with the Kings allowing their opponents a 40.9% field goal shooting rate, placing them 23rd in the league. Additionally, their struggles extend to preventing efficient scoring from the line, where they rank 29th while their opponents enjoy a free throw percentage of 81.0%.
The Kings have won two of their previous three games, three of their last five games and have lost four of their last seven games.
The Kings have had mixed results in their recent outings, picking up wins in two of their last three games and winning three of their last five games.
However, their performance over the last seven games has been less consistent, with the team facing defeat in four of those clashes.
Milwaukee Bucks starting lineups, substitutions and rotations vs. Sacramento Kings
The Bucks will start Damian Lillard at PGMalik Beasley to SG, Khris Middleton has SFGiannis Antetokounmpo to PF and Brook Lopez at center.
Meanwhile, the Kings will start De’Aaron Fox at PGKevin Huerter at SGHarrison Barnes to SFKeegan Murray PF and Domantas Sabonis to center.
Over the last three games, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have led the team in minutes played, averaging 37.0 and 36.3 minutes, respectively.
Following them, Malik Beasley also saw significant playing time, averaging 35.0 minutes, while Brook Lopez chipped in with an average of 30.3 minutes per game.
Bobby Portis became the main contributor from the bench in terms of minutes played, primarily replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo at first and then Brook Lopez.
Portis’ playing time is strategically distributed, with his minutes primarily distributed around the second half of the first and third quarters, in addition to the beginnings of the second and fourth quarters.
Jae Crowder’s minutes will be reduced and Khris Middleton will potentially return.
The Sacramento Kings rely heavily on Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox for their on-court production, with Sabonis leading the team with an average of 38.7 minutes played and Fox following closely with 36.0 minutes.
Murray becomes the second most used player, averaging 31.3 minutes, while Monk Malik stands out as the best contributor off the bench with an average of 29.7 minutes.
Davion Mitchell primarily replaced De’Aaron Fox towards the second half of the first quarter and continued throughout the first half of the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Malik Monk is the key replacement for Kevin Huerter, with his first minutes coming in the second half of the first and third quarters.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Tips
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists with 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks. His flight accessory is set at plus/minus 1.5 and is favored to cross or reach this mark at +180.
Damian Lillard averaged 24.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists, with 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks. Its block accessory is set at plus/minus 0.5 blocks and is favored for crossing or reaching this mark at +260.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Sacramento Kings Predictions
The Bucks are favored to win even if they play on the road, according to sportsbooks and betting lines. They are favored with a spread of -2.5 points and -135 on the moneyline.
The Kings should fall below the points mark set at 237, while the Bucks should cross the mark of 236.5.
