NBA: Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview, Prediction

NBA: Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview, Prediction

The Golden State Warriors (26-26) aim to get back above .500 when they square off against the host Milwaukee Bucks (28-23) on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET. 

This is the third matchup of a six-game road trip and the second with new star Jimmy Butler for the Warriors. 

Butler immediately made his presence felt in his debut, amassing 25 points with 11 made free throws in the 132-111 win at the Chicago Bulls. Aided by the additional support, Stephen Curry went off for 34 points and a season-high eight 3-pointers. 

GSW @ MIL Odds

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo (left calf soreness) but still have sharpshooter Damian Lillard in the lineup. Lillard dropped 43 points, while doling out eight assists and sharing seven rebounds in the Bucks’ 135-127 victory vs. the Philadelphia 76ers

Even though there’s offensive firepower on both teams, this figures to be a defensive battle. The Warriors (112.1) and Bucks (112.6) are 10th and 11th respectively in defensive rating. 

While the Bucks are a solid defensive unit, not having Antetokounmpo is a major blow, especially against the Warriors. 

Butler has an illustrious history of carving up the Bucks even with Antetokounmpo on the court. He famously torched the Bucks for 56 points during a first round upset in 2023. 

Butler will have even more space to operate tonight flanked with the greatest shooter ever and doesn’t have to contend with Antetokounmpo on help defense. It won’t be as prolific as his playoff lore, but look for Butler to produce another high scoring game in an efficient outing.  

Bucks center Brook Lopez will be vital on both ends. Lopez will need to anchor the Bucks in the paint defensively and convert enough 3-pointers alongside Lillard for any chance of victory on the second night of a back-to-back. 

Over the last 10 games, the Warriors are 5-5 while the Bucks are 4-6. This is the first of two meetings this season between the teams. The Warriors will host the Bucks on March 18. 

The Warriors are 6.5 favorites and the total is set for 231.5 at bet365. For the moneyline, it’s Warriors -250 and Bucks +205. 

The dynamic duo of Curry and Butler will wreak havoc on the Bucks without their superstar. Count on the Warriors to cover the spread to claim a second straight victory.

PICK: Warriors -6.5

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Updated on 2/10/25

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