The Bucks will kick off a four-game Western Conference road slate on Monday night as they travel to Minneapolis to take on the Timberwolves. Milwaukee is riding high after a successful weekend, defeating both Orlando and Toronto on Friday and Saturday night respectively. The Bucks topped the Raptors 115-105 at Fiserv Forum thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Minnesota comes into this one with a surprising 4-1 record, all against Eastern Conference teams. Their lone defeat came on the road against the undefeated Philadelphia 76ers, and they beat the Wizards on the road 131-109 on Saturday night led by 21 points from Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves will be without their star center Karl-Anthony Towns, as he is set to serve the second game of a two-game suspension for his quarrel with Sixers center Joel Embiid. That *should* limit Minnesota offensively against a capable Bucks defense.
The Bucks have won 2 straight against Minnesota, most recently a 140-128 victory in Milwaukee in February.
Expected starters:
MIL: Bledsoe, Matthews, Middleton, G. Antetokounmpo, B. Lopez
MIN: Teague, Wiggins, Graham, Covington, Dieng
Injuries: Both teams are completely healthy coming into the game. Towns is the only absence on either side.
The spread: MIL -7.5
Time and TV: 7:00 PM CT on FS Wisconsin
Prediction: The Bucks need to start out their West road trip strong, and I think they’ll be able to do that tonight. They have a clear advantage with Towns out for Minnesota. Bucks 118, Timberwolves 104