SACRAMENTO -- After a disappointing showing Monday evening in Minnesota, the Sacramento Kings draw one of the most difficult covers in the NBA Wednesday evening when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks roll through Sacramento.
Rookie Marvin Bagley III picked up his second start of the season on Monday and gave the NBA a glimpse of what the future holds in Sacramento. Bagley finished the game with 25 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks against the T-Wolves. The Kings led early, but struggled in the second and third quarters. They made a late run against Minnesota, but it wasn't enough to avoid the 112-105 loss.
Milwaukee is on fire. They've rattled off five straight wins and they are 17-2 over their last 19 contests. Antetokounmpo missed Monday's matchup with the Bulls, but the All-Star forward is listed as probable against the Kings and expected to start for the Bucks.
Kings Pregame Live on NBC Sports California begins at 6:30 p.m., with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. All coverage can be seen on the MyTeams by NBC Sports app.
The schedule doesn't let up for Sacramento. They'll gear up for a battle against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday and then host the Knicks and Celtics next week before heading out on a four game road trip.
Line
Bucks by 6.5
Sports
Projected Lineups
Kings
PG De'Aaron Fox
SG Buddy Hield
SF Bogdan Bogdanovic
PF Harrison Barnes
C Willie Cauley-Stein
Bucks
PG Eric Bledsoe
SG Malcolm Brogdon
SF Khris Middleton
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
C Brook Lopez
Injury Report
Kings
No injuries to report.
Bucks
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probable, PG George Hill (groin) out, SG Sterling Brown (wrist) out, SG Donte DiVincenzo (heel) out.
Rotation Outlook
Kings
Coach Dave Joerger mixed Bagley into the starting group against the Timberwolves, but it's unlikely he'll try it a second straight game with Antetokounmpo matching up on the other side. Harrison Barnes will likely start at the four, with Bogdan Bogdanovic moving back into the starting lineup for match up purposes.
The Kings have a roster decision coming in the next 48 hours regarding forward Corey Brewer. The 32-year-old nomad has moved around the league throughout his career and his second 10-day contract with the Kings is coming to an end. Sacramento will either have to sign him for the remainder of the season or look for another option on the open market. Once his current deal expires, Brewer is an unrestricted free agent and has the ability to sign with any team. In his two appearances in a Kings uniform, the 12-year vet is averaging 11.5 points on 44.4 percent shooting from long range.
Barnes is still struggling to find his niche in the Kings' offense. The 26-year-old is averaging 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per game for the Kings, but he's shooting just 31.8 percent from the floor and 23.3 from 3-point range in six starts.
Bucks
Mike Budenholzer is off to a great start in Milwaukee in his first year at the helm. He has a talented and deep roster and his team currently sits atop the standings in the Eastern Conference at 46-14.
The Bucks currently rank second in the league in scoring, posting 117 points per game. They also boast the league's No. 1 defensive rating and play at the fifth fastest pace.
Led by Antetokounmpo and Middleton, all five starters average double-figures for Milwaukee. The lead the league in rebounding and are second in 3-point makes and blocks.
