Two of the hottest teams to start the season face off in Milwaukee as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
The Bucks come in off a 121-111 victory over the New York Knicks, a team that won all three games against them a year ago in convincing fashion.
Antetokounmpo, the reigning Eastern Conference player of the week, dominated for Milwaukee with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Ryan Rollins, thrust into the starting point guard role with Kevin Porter Jr. injured, added 25 points and four assists.
“We have the players to win games. This team is built exactly how it’s supposed to be built to win games,” Antetokounmpo said. “(Rollins) plays hard, he has a great competitive spirit and he’s a student of the game.”
Through four games, the two-time MVP leads Milwaukee with 36.3 points, 14 boards and seven assists per game. New acquisition Myles Turner leads with 2.5 blocks per game but has been an inconsistent scorer, averaging 8.3 points on 31.6% shooting.
Despite the struggles, Rollins praised Turner’s impact on his new team.
“He just made a championship run (with the finalist Indiana Pacers). He brings that energy,” Rollins said. “Him bringing that resilience, that mindset, it’s big time for us for sure. He’s been a great leader.”
Golden State comes into Milwaukee having won two in a row, including a 98-79 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 21 points. Curry scored 19 points and Quinten Post and Brandin Podziemski added 12 apiece.
“Our offense can help our defense. I thought that happened tonight,” coach Steve Kerr said. “As soon as things get precarious, make sure Jimmy Butler gets the ball. He settles the game down, we don’t turn it over. We’ve been much more purposeful in our play.”
Curry leads Golden State with an average of 27 points across the first five games with Butler not far behind at 21.4. Jonathan Kuminga’s 7.4 boards per game and Draymond Green’s 7.2 assists per game are team highs.
“Our offense is predicated on using me as a shot creator on and off the ball. I’m not always going to get great looks, but hopefully we’re able to create beautiful offense that way,” Curry said. “And vice versa, guys set great screens for me, get me open. Our job is not to obsess over the stat sheet, it’s can we win.”
On the injury front, Porter (ankle) will miss his fourth straight game and does not yet have a timetable for return after playing just nine minutes on opening night. Alex Toohey (knee) continues to sit out for Golden State.
Golden State has won three in a row over Milwaukee, including a two-game sweep a year ago with both games decided by double-digit margins. Prior to last year, the two-game set was split for four straight seasons.