Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 2 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Milwaukee Bucks battle the Brooklyn Nets in a battle between two Eastern Conference teams on Thursday at the Fiserv Forum at 8 P.M. EST.

After starting the season with a 2-8 record, the Bucks have been on an upward trend, winning the NBA Cup to be the second-ever champions. Milwaukee boasts a 17-14 record and is fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks hold a 15-13 record against East teams. Against the Nets, the Bucks lost two of their three meetings this season ahead of the last meeting of their season series.

Former regular-season MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has been carrying a heavy load for the Bucks, leading in scoring and rebounding. The "Greek Freak" is averaging 32.6 points and 11.6 rebounds, along with 6.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Damian Lillard leads the Bucks in assists and steals this season. The former Portland Trail Blazers guard has been putting up 7.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, scoring 25.2 points.

Meanwhile, the Nets have lost five of their last six games, including their last three. They have a 12-21 win-loss record and are 6-17 against East teams this season.

The Nets traded for D’Angelo Russell, who marked his first game back in Brooklyn with 22 points and eight assists off the bench in 26 minutes. Aside from the former Lakers guard, the Nets are expected to lean on Cameron Johnson, who averages 19.1 points per game.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Milwaukee Bucks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Coached by former NBA champion Doc Rivers, the Milwaukee Bucks are expected to have a starting lineup composed of Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr., Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Damian Lillard	Delon Wright	Gary Trent Jr.
Shooting Guard	Andre Jackson Jr.	Pat Connaughton	Ryan Rollins
Small Forward	Khris Middleton	AJ Green	Stanley Umude
Power Forward	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Taurean Prince	Marjon Beauchamp
Center	Brook Lopez	Bobby Portis	Liam Robbins

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Brooklyn Nets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

The Brooklyn Nets played D'Angelo Russell off the bench in his first game back. In the second game of a back-to-back, he's expected to remain a bench player. The Nets are predicted to start Ben Simmons, Keon Johnson, Cam Johnson, Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Ben Simmons	D'Angelo Russell
Shooting Guard	Keon Johnson	Tyrese Martin
Small Forward	Cam Johnson	Jalen Wilson
Power Forward	Noah Clowney	Zaire Williams
Center	Nic Claxton	Trendon Watford

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets Injury Reports

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are questionable due to knee and ankle injuries, respectively. Meanwhile, AJ Green is questionable due to a calf injury.

Brooklyn Nets injury report

The Nets could be missing Cam Thomas (hamstring), Noah Clowney (back), Ziaire Williams (knee), Bojan Bogdanovic (foot), Trendon Watford (hamstring) and Max Levis (leg).