The Dallas Mavericks travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks in a cross-conference matchup that highlights contrasting fortunes this season. With the Mavericks riding a wave of recent victories and the Bucks grappling with a devastating injury to their superstar, this game could be a turning point for both teams in their quests to climb the standings. Dallas has shown resilience with key contributions from their core, while Milwaukee will lean on secondary scoring and home-court energy to snap a skid. Expect a gritty contest focused on perimeter shooting and defensive adjustments.
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT local time)
Broadcast: Available on KFAA (Dallas), FDSWI (Milwaukee), NBA League Pass, and radio on 620 AM/103.3 FM WTMJ (Milwaukee) or 97.1 FM (Dallas)
Recent Team Forms
Both teams enter with mixed results, but Dallas has momentum while Milwaukee is reeling from losses and injuries.
Dallas Mavericks (Last 5 Games: 4-1):
Jan 24 vs. Golden State Warriors: W 123-115 – Balanced attack with strong bench production
Jan 19 at New York Knicks: W 114-97 – Dominant road win, holding Knicks under 100
Jan 17 vs. Utah Jazz: W (details highlight defensive effort in comeback).
Jan 15 at Phoenix Suns: L (close contest but fell short in fourth quarter).
Jan 13 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: W (key home victory to start streak).
Averaging 115.6 points for and 108.2 against in last five, with a 4-1 ATS record. Power play has improved to 38% from three-point range recently
Milwaukee Bucks (Last 5 Games: 2-3):
Jan 24 vs. Denver Nuggets: L 100-102 – Tight loss despite competitive effort
Jan 19 at Atlanta Hawks: W 112-110 – Thrilling road win with late-game heroics
Jan 17 vs. Indiana Pacers: L (defensive lapses in blowout).
Jan 15 at Chicago Bulls: W (solid all-around performance).
Jan 13 vs. Toronto Raptors: L (extended home losing streak continues).
Averaging 108.4 points for and 110.6 against, with a 2-3 ATS mark. Struggling at home (0-3 in last three)
Injury Report and Suspensions
Dallas Mavericks: Guard Kyrie Irving is out indefinitely with a knee injury, no timetable for return
Forward Bertans Davis is sidelined with a finger injury, expected to miss extended time
Center Moussa Cisse is out due to illness
Center Rocco Zikarsky is out (G League assignment)
No suspensions reported. Expected starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II.
Milwaukee Bucks: Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with a right calf strain, expected to miss 4-6 weeks
Guard Gary Trent Jr. is questionable (undisclosed from Jan 24)
Guard Kevin Porter Jr. and point guard AJ Green are out (Jan 24 injuries)
No suspensions. Expected starting lineup: Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Taurean Prince, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez.
Key Player Matchups
Giannis’ absence shifts the focus to guard play and interior battles in this matchup.
Luka Doncic (Mavs G) vs. Damian Lillard (Bucks G): Doncic’s scoring and playmaking (averaging 28.5 PPG) against Lillard’s explosive offense (25.2 PPG). Expect high-volume threes and drives
Klay Thompson (Mavs G) vs. Khris Middleton (Bucks F): Thompson’s sharpshooting (38% from three) tested by Middleton’s defensive versatility and mid-range game.
PJ Washington (Mavs F) vs. Bobby Portis (Bucks F): Washington’s athleticism in transition vs. Portis’ rebounding prowess (double-double threat without Giannis).
Daniel Gafford/Dereck Lively II (Mavs C) vs. Brook Lopez (Bucks C): Mavs’ rim protection duo challenges Lopez’s spacing and blocks (top-5 in league).
Series History
The Bucks hold a historical edge, but recent dominance is pronounced. Overall Head-to-Head: Bucks lead 50-38 in 88 regular-season games. Recent Games: Bucks have won the last 7 meetings, including a 116-114 victory on Nov 10, 2025. Last 5: All Bucks wins, averaging 129.2-116.0 points. Trends: Games average 232.4 total points in last 5; Bucks 6-1 ATS in recent series. Milwaukee is 4-1 at home vs. Dallas in last five.
Betting Trends
Mavericks: 4-1 ATS in last five games; over has hit in 6 of last 10 (60%). As road underdogs, 7-5 ATS this season. Strong on back-to-backs (4-0 SU/ATS last four). Three-point defense ranks top-10, allowing 34.8%.
Bucks: 2-3 ATS in last five; under in 7 of last 10 (70%). At home, 8-12 ATS, but 3-7 ATS as favorites. Penalty-prone defense (20th in fouls per game)
Series Trends: Bucks 6-4 ATS in last 10 vs. Mavs; over 220.5 in 7 of 10. Home team 5-5 in recent matchups
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 220.5
Milwaukee Bucks – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 24, 2026
