Building momentum
Preseason games technically don’t matter. The games don’t contribute to the teams’ records, they often provide a backdrop of coaches experimenting and players working their way up to peak condition, and once the lights come on for real and the regular season begins, nobody will either care or remember about the slate of exhibition games that went before.
Having said that, even putting the result aside, if there’s just one preseason game where the importance of a positive performance or even the emotional boost of a win can prove to be more valuable, it’s the finale.
The Bucks already have plenty of positives to draw upon from preseason action, along with two wins to their name, but while they look to build confidence and some form of momentum, continuing in that light and avoiding any seeds of doubt or negativity before the big tip-off remains important.
At a minimum, the Bucks will look to maintain positive trends, such as three-point shooting, while using the contest as something of a trial run for the kind of lineups and rotations that may quickly become staples in the year ahead.
The game will be televised by Fox Sports Wisconsin, with tip-off from Fiserv Forum scheduled for 7.30pm CT.