The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings are set to face off at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET. This matchup features two teams with playoff aspirations, as the Bucks aim to climb the Eastern Conference standings while the Kings fight to solidify their position in the Western Conference play-in race.
Team Overview
Milwaukee Bucks (40-30)
- Current Form: The Bucks are coming off a dominant 118-89 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, rebounding from a disappointing loss to the Golden State Warriors earlier in their road trip. Milwaukee has won three of their last five games but has struggled with consistency, particularly on the road.
- Road Record: Milwaukee holds a 15-18 record on the road this season, highlighting their challenges away from Fiserv Forum.
- Key Players:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: The two-time MVP continues to dominate, averaging 30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Giannis scored 28 points in the win over the Lakers and remains the focal point of Milwaukee’s offense.
- Gary Trent Jr.: Contributed 23 points against the Lakers and has been a reliable secondary scorer for the Bucks.
- Brook Lopez: Anchors the defense with his shot-blocking ability and adds scoring in the paint.
- Injury Concerns:
- Damian Lillard (calf) is out, leaving the Bucks without their star guard and primary playmaker.
Sacramento Kings (35-34)
- Current Form: The Kings are coming off a 128-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, snapping a two-game winning streak. Sacramento has lost six of their last nine games and is clinging to the ninth seed in the Western Conference, making every game critical for their postseason hopes.
- Home Record: Sacramento has been solid at home, posting a 20-14 record at Golden 1 Center.
- Key Players:
- Malik Monk: Scored a season-high 34 points in the loss to Chicago and has been a spark plug for the Kings’ offense.
- DeMar DeRozan: Averaging 22.2 points per game, DeRozan provides veteran leadership and scoring consistency.
- Zach LaVine: Adds firepower with 21.9 points per game, forming a dynamic duo with DeRozan.
- Injury Concerns:
- Domantas Sabonis (ankle) remains out, leaving a significant void in the Kings’ interior presence and rebounding.
Head-to-Head Matchup
- Season Series: The Bucks lead the season series 1-0, having defeated the Kings 130-115 on January 14. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 33 points in that game, and Milwaukee controlled the contest from start to finish.
- Key Stats:
- Milwaukee averages 114.5 points per game while allowing 112.2 points per game.
- Sacramento averages 116.6 points per game, ranking fifth in the Western Conference, but allows 115.8 points per game, highlighting their defensive struggles.
- The Bucks rank fourth in three-point shooting percentage (38.2%), while the Kings are vulnerable from beyond the arc, allowing opponents to shoot 38.4%.
Projected Starting Lineups
Milwaukee Bucks:
- Guard: Ryan Rollins
- Guard: Gary Trent Jr.
- Forward: Khris Middleton
- Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
Sacramento Kings:
- Guard: Malik Monk
- Guard: De’Aaron Fox
- Forward: DeMar DeRozan
- Forward: Keegan Murray
- Center: Alex Len
Storylines to Watch
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Dominance: With Damian Lillard sidelined, Giannis will need to carry an even heavier load offensively. Can Sacramento’s defense find a way to slow him down?
- Kings Without Sabonis: The absence of Domantas Sabonis has left a significant gap in Sacramento’s interior defense and rebounding. How will they adjust against Milwaukee’s size and physicality?
- Battle of the Benches: Both teams will rely on their depth, with players like Malik Monk for the Kings and Bobby Portis for the Bucks playing pivotal roles.
- Playoff Implications: The Bucks are fighting for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings are battling to secure a play-in spot in the West.
