Preview and Game Thread: Suns head east to face the top-ranked Bucks

What: Phoenix Suns (20-28) @ Milwaukee Bucks (41-7)

When: 12:00 p.m. MST

Where: Fiserv Forum, Miwaukee, WI

TV: Fox Sports Arizona

Radio: 98.7 FM

The Suns face their toughest challenge this year, heading on the road to face the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are the top team in the NBA, with a 41-7 record, while the Suns are fighting for their playoff lives right now.

Do the Suns have any chance of picking up the upset on the first night of a back to back?

Phoenix Suns

No. 11 in the Western Conference

Statistical leaders: Devin Booker (27.1 ppg) Kelly Oubre Jr. (6.6 rpg) Ricky Rubio (8.8 apg)

The Suns are coming off a tough home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder where they had a lead late but let it slip away. The Suns have shown a lot of promise this season but have failed to capitalize on those types of games, allowing them to slip into losses.

While the team is trying to take that next step into their transition from awful team to a playoff contender, Devin Booker is showing the world what he’s made up. He’s been leading the team in points this entire season with 27.1 per game while earning 6.4 assist per game. He’s been simply one of the best players in the league and has become a threat to go off from anywhere. However, his supporting cast is a bit of the walking wounded right now with Ricky Rubio, Dario Saric and Tyler Johnson all day-to-day and Aron Baynes and Cameron Johnson out. This simply leaves more on the shoulders of Deandre Ayton and Kelly Oubre Jr. who need to show up big tonight if they want to win.

Milwaukee Bucks

No. 1 in the Eastern Conference

Statistical leader: Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 ppg, 13 rpg, 5.7 apg)

(Editor’s note: Yes, Giannis leads the Bucks in all three categories)

It’s no secret what makes the Bucks great, a heavy dose of the greek freak, Giannis Antetokunmpo. He leads the team in points, assist and rebounds per game. The entire offense and defense is built to his strength with shooters all around him and a defensive scheme that usually allows him to be the free man, allowing him to roam wild.

This system has allowed the Bucks to thrive, ranking first in defensive rating (102) and second in offensive rating (113.7). The team has plenty of talent with the Suns former point guard Eric Bledsoe playing well there (15.5 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.5 rpg) and Khris Middleton (20.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4 apg). This is a team that looks to be the best regular season team for the second year in a row and looks to be a lock for the Finals thanks to the reigning MVP.

Prediction

Milwaukee, there’s no reason to pick against them. Giannis is a monster and as well as Booker has been playing, Giannis has been better this year.

With the early tip-off today, this story will also serve as the comment section for today’s game thread.

Have some fun below!