A six-game slate headlines Thursday, including a potential Finals preview between the Thunder and Knicks. Meanwhile the Hawks will be looking to make it five straight wins when they travel to Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
The Bucks welcome Giannis Antetokounmpo back into the lineup, with both teams effectively entering this Eastern Conference clash at full strength.<\/p>\n
Atlanta has won its last four games by 11+ points, although the quality of opposition has been questionable. Milwaukee, on the other hand, enters this matchup off three disappointing losses.<\/p>\n
Prior to that stretch the Bucks showed they can still be dangerous this season. Can they bounce back on their home floor?<\/p>\n
CJ McCollum has moved into Atlanta\u2019s starting lineup over the last four games and the change has paid off.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s averaging 17 points during that span, but his per-36 numbers tell an even stronger story at 22.9 points. His minutes have been slightly reduced recently due to Atlanta blowing out opponents.<\/p>\n
Across his time with the Hawks he\u2019s averaging 18.6 points per game, and this matchup shapes well for another 15+ performance.<\/p>\n
Even with Giannis returning, Bobby Portis should continue to see solid minutes as Myles Turner\u2019s backup at centre.<\/p>\n
Portis has scored double figures in 18 of his last 21 games. With Giannis in the lineup he has still hit 10+ in 15 of the last 17, including the last eight straight.<\/p>\n
Atlanta runs plenty of dribble hand-off action through Okongwu, which helps compensate for the lack of a traditional point guard on the floor.<\/p>\n
Okongwu has recorded 2+ assists in 10 of his last 12 games and has produced 6+ assists in two of his last three.<\/p>\n
Milwaukee is the easiest team in the NBA for centres to generate assists against over the last month, allowing production 39% above league average.<\/p>\n