Free NBA Picks Today: Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns 2/26/23

Two exceptional defenses battle on Sunday when the Milwaukee Bucks (42-17, 25-5 Home) host the Phoenix Suns (33-28, 12-18 Away).

Phoenix defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-115 at Footprint Center on Friday. Devin Booker was the standout player with 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.

The Suns are fourth in the Western Conference. Milwaukee won their 13th in a row in impressive fashion on Friday at Fiserv Forum, beating the Miami Heat 128-99.

Jrue Holiday had 24 points and seven assists, leading the team. The Bucks are 0.5 games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting in second.

It’s the first meeting of the season between the teams. Phoenix and Milwaukee split their matchups last season, each team taking one. The Bucks came out on top in the last meeting 132-122 at Fiserv Forum in March 2022.

Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 44 points and eight rebounds. Deandre Ayton had 30 points in the loss. The Suns have been led this season by Ayton and Mikal Bridges, who are averaging 18.3 and 17.2 points per game, respectively. Ayton also has grabbed 9.9 rebounds per game, while Bridges has dished 3.6 assists per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31.3 points per game have powered the Bucks on offense. He ranks as the fourth-highest scorer in the league. Antetokounmpo also has posted 12.0 rebounds per game, second-most in the NBA. Holiday has tallied 7.1 assists per game.

The Suns and the Bucks are holding opponents to 111.4 and 111.4 points per game, respectively, ranking fourth and fifth in the league in scoring defense. The Suns are 2-5 in seven trips to Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee has won nine in a row at home this season.In the last 10 games, Phoenix is 7-3 with an average margin of +2.3 (112.7-110.4). Milwaukee has won each of the last 10 amid the team’s 13-game win streak, scoring 122.0 points per game on average while allowing 108.9 (+13.1 margin). The Bucks are averaging 115.1 ppg for the full season while allowing 111.4.

SUNS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Terrence Ross: 21.0 | 11.7 | +9.3
T.J. Warren: 6.0 | 12.0 | -6.0

BUCKS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points per game:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 23.0 | 31.3 | -8.2
Rebounds per game:
Brook Lopez: 8.2 | 6.5 | +1.7
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 8.4 | 12.0 | -3.6