3 keys as Milwaukee Bucks wrap up road trip vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Jrue Holiday’s presence will be huge for the Milwaukee Bucks tonight

That’s a statement that can apply to any game, honestly, but he didn’t play in the first meeting against the Wolves and two guys who he’ll be matched up against at different times had big nights against the Milwaukee Bucks.

His direct competition, D’Angelo Russell, had a team-high 29 points on 55 percent true shooting while Edwards had his aforementioned 25 points (though it was on 24 shots). Of course, there’s only one Jrue Holiday, but he should see time on both guys.

I’m particularly interested to see how he matches up against Edwards, who is a big, strong, athletic wing but Holiday is pretty darn strong in his own right. It’ll be like two rhinos going at each other, should be fun. In their lone meeting last season, Edwards went 2-of-5 against Holiday with both makes being 3s. Holding him to 0-of-3 on 2s is solid.

Russell is having his best overall season as a pro, turning into a very good third option around Towns and Edwards. Holiday didn’t spend a ton of time on him in that game last season, but the Bucks didn’t have many good options to throw at him earlier this season.

Now they’ll have both Holiday and Jevon Carter (as well as George Hill, who played in that game in October).

Offensively, Holiday will be able to go at Russell or Patrick Beverley. Beverley has the reputation of a good defender but Holiday is stronger, but that will be a fun matchup to watch on that end.

He has had some outstanding performances of late, especially when it matters in the fourth quarter. Holiday should have another solid night tonight, purely because no one can really guard him on this team.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone, but having one of their best players back will be huge both offensively and defensively.