Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Game Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and Preview

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-5) @ Milwaukee Bucks (3-4) — BMO Harris Bradley Center Tuesday 7:00 PM CT

The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to take home their first victory at the BMO Harris Bradley Center against the Oklahoma City since 2010 on Tuesday.

They’ll be doing so while riding the lightning of what might just be considered a season defining win against the then undefeated Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

The Thunder also picked up a big win on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. After starting 1-5, the Thunder clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter and turned it over just one time in the final frame. Without stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the Thunder have leaned on the offensive abilities of Reggie Jackson, who scored 22 on Sunday.

Head coach Scott Brooks has looked for balanced scoring with his stars out, and he got that against the Kings. Jeremy Lamb scored 17 and backup point guards Sebastian Telfair and Ish Smith combined to score 21 points in 25 minutes of play.

Despite losing the last four at home to the Thunder, the Bucks own a 45-21 record at the Bradley against the Seattle/Oklahoma City franchise.

The Intangibles

Radio: 620 WTMJ (Ted Davis/Dennis Krause)

Online: League Pass

TV: FS Wisconsin

Social Media: @BehindTheBucks | @ThunderousInt

Last Time Out

Head coach Jason Kidd has been preaching to his young roster that they can win against anyone in this league. On Saturday, the Bucks proved that with a fourth quarter surge against the then undefeated Memphis Grizzlies.

For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the fourth quarter. He scored a career-high 18 points, 12 in the fourth quarter.

For anyone nationally that flipped on this close game, their basketball mind went from wondering who #34 was to realizing that Antetokounmpo has the talent to bloom into a top player in this league.

Brandon Knight might of won the game with his impromptu drive to the lane after the perimeter defense of the Grizzlies closed any shot attempt. He drained the free throw to finish the three point play that gave the Bucks the lead for good.

But it was Antetokounmpo’s play in isolation on back to back layups that was the difference.

Scott Rafferty at Upside and Motortouched on Antetokounmpo’s crunch time performance.

"Jason Kidd then replaced Henson with Larry Sanders with 6:58 to go in the quarter, leaving Antetokounmpo to man the power forward spot. That created an advantage on the offensive end for Antetokounmpo. On all four of his made baskets, he had either Zach Randolph or Marc Gasol guarding him. Each time, he caught the ball at the top of the perimeter and took them off the dribble with ease, using his speed to get around them and length to finish at the basket.At one point in the fourth quarter, Antetokounmpo looked to drive by Randolph but was cut off quickly by Mike Conley. Instead of forcing the play, he made a simple pass to Bayless on the wing, who knocked down a three to give the Bucks a one point lead with 3:24 to go in the frame. While the Grizzlies responded with Randolph hitting a baseline jump shot, Antetokounmpo put the Bucks back in the driver’s seat with an and-one layup over Randolph."

Jason Kidd did a good job of using his young talent in all the right places to set up matchup nightmares. Not many coaches are gutsy enough not to play their star player for most of the fourth quarter. Jabari Parker had an impact early, but Kidd saw the mismatch with Giannis Antetokounmpo and ran with it.

Sharing the Basketball

The Milwaukee Bucks are 9th in the league in assists per field goals made this season, but that doesn’t even begin to tell the story of how well the Bucks offense has moved the basketball over the last two games. Against Detroit and Memphis last week, The Bucks assisted on 50 of their 76 made field goals.

Having 66% of their points scored off of assists has played a major part in their success, because it has led to good looks.

You have to think it’s played a major role in the success of the isolation plays that the Bucks have run.  According to NBA.com, The Bucks have made 67% of their unassisted field goals this season, which is tied for third best in the league.

Common Ground/Career Highs

• The Oklahoma City Thunder signed guard Ish Smith signed with the Thunder last Friday thanks to a injury exemption. Smith played for the Bucks during the 2012-13 season, after being acquired in the J.J. Redick deal.
• Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kendall Marshall set a career high with 17 assists against the Thunder last season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson dropped 28 points (11-of-19 shooting) and grabbed 16 rebounds in April of 2013 against the Thunder.

Projected Starters/Injury Report

Injury Report

While the Bucks remain healthy minus rookies Damien Inglis and Johnny O’Bryant, the Thunder are battling one of the worst injury stretches in the franchise’s history. As mentioned above, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will both miss significant time. Andre Roberson and Perry Jones are both listed as day-to-day and missed Sunday’s game against the Kings. Anthony Morrow has also been out with a foot sprain.

The NBA has given the Thunder an injury exemption because of the many injuries on the roster. They will be able to hold onto 16 players on their roster until one of their injured players return.

At last check today, Ish Smith also has a bruised ego after getting posterized last night.