Bogut Faces Old Team As Warriors Take On Bucks: Game Preview

On Tuesday night, Andrew Bogut will take on his former club as the Golden State Warriors face the Milwaukee Bucks on the road in Milwaukee. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Bogut has come a long way since being the first overall pick of the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2005. After a promising career was derailed by two chronic injuries to his elbow and ankle, Bogut has rejuvenated his career with Golden State after being shipped to the Warriors two seasons ago.

On Tuesday night, Bogut will take on his former club as the Warriors face the Bucks on the road in Milwaukee, looking to extend their win-streak to double-digits.

In his lone appearance against the Bucks last season, Bogut scored four points and grabbed nine boards in 29 minutes. However, we can assume that he was nowhere close to as healthy as he is now. Bogut is averaging 8.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this season, providing the Warriors with the talented big man that they have so desperately craved.

“I’m excited to go there and see people that I spent my first (seven) years of my career with,” Bogut told Jimmy Durkin of the San Jose Mercury News about his return to Milwaukee. However, he did admit that “there will be a little bit of boo birds…That’s just the way it goes.”

Tale of the Tape

Warriors

• Points per game: 103.6 (9th)
• Field goal percentage: 46.5% (6th)
• 3-point percentage: 43.0% (3rd)
• Opponents’ field goal percentage: 43.0% (T-3rd)
• Rebounds per game: 46.4 (T-2nd)
• Turnovers: 16.9 (29th)

Bucks

• Points per game: 92.8 (29th)
• Field goal percentage: 42.5% (27th)
• 3-point percentage: 34.3% (23rd)
• Opponents’ field goal percentage: 44.8% (T-8th)
• Rebounds per game: 41.2 (26th)
• Turnovers: 15.1 (24th)

Take Every Opponent Seriously

That goes without saying, but for a team that’s won nine games in a row and are facing the worst team in the NBA record-wise (Bucks are 7-26), it’s easy for the Warriors to take a victory for granted and lose their focus.

These are all professional basketball players on an NBA team, and the Warriors need to treat them like every other opponent. The Bucks have several talented players, such as Brandon Knight and rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo. Also, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders form a solid front court. If the Warriors don’t stay on task, the Bucks are more than capable of pulling off the upset.

Good to Know

– More evidence that the Warriors should the Bucks seriously: Milwaukee has won seven of the last eight meetings against Golden State, including three in a row overall and four straight at home. It should be worth mentioning, though, that this is different Bucks team without Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis.

– The Warriors will meet up with a familiar face in Ekpe Udoh, who was shipped along with Ellis to the Bucks for Bogut. Udoh is averaging 4.1 points and 4.0 rebounds this season.

It’s Really Cold in Wisconsin 

Even the hottest team in the NBA couldn’t warm up Milwaukee:

Tuesday’s high in Milwaukee is expected to be a sweltering nine degrees. Hope the heaters in the arena are working!

Injury Report

GSW: Festus Ezeli (recovery from right knee surgery) and Jermaine O’Neal (right wrist surgery) are out.

MIL: John Henson (ankle) is out.

Probable Starters

GOLDEN STATE (23-13)

• F Andre Iguodala
• F David Lee
• C Andrew Bogut
• G Klay Thompson
• G Stephen Curry

MILWAUKEE (7-26) 

• F Giannis Antetokounmpo
• F Ersan Ilyasova
• C Larry Sanders
• G Brandon Knight
• G Luke Ridnour

Game Info

Time: 5:00 PST

Location: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI

TV: LOCAL