3 things to watch for as the Milwaukee Bucks take on Dallas Mavericks
Following a three-day break, the Milwaukee Bucks came back with a 20-point blowout of the Houston Rockets at Fiserv Forum. Tonight, they’ll take on another Texas team, but in Texas, as they travel to play an understaffed Dallas Mavericks team.
It seems redundant to call a team understaffed at this point, but the Mavericks are worse off than most at the moment. They have six players in health and safety protocols, including superstar Luka Doncic, as well as Kristaps Porizingis listed as questionable with a toe injury.
The Bucks have gone 3-3 against the Mavs in the last three seasons, but this one seems like it should be in favor of the away team — even when you factor in they’re on the second night of a back-to-back and also missing their franchise player. Still, this won’t be easy coming off of a game last night and traveling as well.
What is going on with Grayson Allen and where are the Milwaukee Bucks hiding him?
Ok, that’s a touch dramatic, but following the team’s three-day break, everyone who wasn’t in health and safety protocols (and not named Brook Lopez) was listed as available. That included Khris Middleton, who suffered a hyperextended left knee, Wesley Matthews, who came out of health and safety protocols, and Grayson Allen, who was available against the Cleveland Cavaliers but got a night of rest (same with Jrue Holiday).
But, despite being listed as active, Allen didn’t start or play a single minute. There was much confusion because, well, they had three days off and it was expected everyone active would be able to play.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer had answers for our collective questions after last night’s game, however!
Budenholzer, when asked by @JimOwczarski to clarify not 100 percent: "He's just a little bit off. Obviously, we're testing for COVID. It's not that. He's actually feeling better, so I think we just looked at the schedule, looked at what was best for him and his body." https://t.co/Ok8iwTVTLG
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 23, 2021
That’s pretty vague (as the Bucks tend to be with injuries), but the good news is that he is feeling better and could play tonight. Allen missed a game earlier this month with an illness, so it’s a bit worrisome that he’s still not feeling well, but the good news is that it isn’t COVID and won’t need to go into health and safety protocols.
Allen will likely be listed as active once again tonight, so here’s to hoping they can get a fresh body out there on the second night of a back-to-back but also that he feels good enough to play.