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The Milwaukee Bucks are in top form and have won each of their last five NBA games and travel to the Phoenix Suns Arena on Wednesday. They are coming off a 13-point victory over the Denver Nuggets in a game where Khris Middleton and 2-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced 29 and 30 points, respectively.
The Phoenix Suns on the other hand have been defensively astute, and find themselves 4th in the Western Conference with a decent 14-9 record. The Phoenix Suns have seen consistent performances from the likes of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, while Mikal Bridges’ recent form has added another element to their offence.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns Prediction: Combined starting 5
The Milwaukee Bucks will be missing the services of Jrue Holiday owing to COVID-related safety and health protocols. Bryn Forbes is expected to slot in alongside Donte DiVincenzo. The Milwaukee Bucks have been in dominant form on both ends of the court and will be looking to cruise to their 6th consecutive victory.
The Phoenix Suns on the other hand have also had injury concerns of late. Chris Paul is expected to return after sitting out from the Sun’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers the last time around, but have enough firepower to bring the fight to the Bucks. In this article, we look at the hypothetical combined five of the two teams, excluding the players who are unavailable for the match.
Point Guard – Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
The arrival of Chris Paul has seemingly transformed the Phoenix Suns, as they look set for a deep run into the playoffs this time around. Chris Paul has delivered consistently for the Phoenix Suns, and is currently producing 16.4 points and 8.2 assists per game.
The Phoenix Suns have a difficult run of fixtures ahead of them, in which they will take on the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, and Chris Paul’s form will prove crucial to his team’s fortunes. He has combined well with Devin Booker, and has proven to be a shrewd acquisition so far.
Shooting Guard – Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Devin Booker has had his share of difficult games this season, and does not look to be in the kind of form that he showed throughout the 2019-20 NBA season. He is currently averaging 23.3 points and 4.3 assists per game, numbers that the All-Star will be looking to improve upon.
Regardless, Devin Booker has the ability to make it a testing day for the Milwaukee Bucks defense, something that he is expected to do if his team is to pull off an upset.
Forward – Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
Khris Middleton has also been instrumental in the Milwaukee Bucks' improved form in recent weeks. The Bucks have had a stuttering start to the season but appear set to mount a serious title charge this time around, something both Middleton and Jrue Holiday are going to have much to do with, along with Giannis.
Khris Middleton has been astute on both ends of the court, producing 20.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6 assists per game. With Jrue Holiday sitting out the match, Middleton will be looking to lead his team to yet another victory, alongside current NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
The Greek Freak is one of the most prolific scorers around, and looks determined to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA championship. He is currently producing 27.1 points, 5.6 assists and 11.1 rebounds per game, numbers that he might even end up improving upon.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is lethal defensively as well, averaging a steal and more than 1 block per game. While the Phoenix Suns certainly have the players to hurt the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis might as well take over, with good effect.
Center – DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
Much of the Phoenix Suns’ defensive resilience is due to the presence of the number 1 pick of the 2018 NBA draft, DeAndre Ayton. DeAndre Ayton is producing 12.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and has allowed his team’s more gifted offensive players to express themselves better.
DeAndre Ayton is currently producing 14 points and 2 assists per game, and has proved to be an all-round presence for the Phoenix Suns in the 2020-21 NBA season thus far. He takes the center position for the combined 5 of the two teams.
Guess the Lakers players!
