Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday look to lead Bucks past Celtics and reduce magic number to clinch top seed in Eastern Conference, game updates
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Holiday and Bucks speak on his 51 points vs. Pacers
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After a big offensive night against the Pacers, the Bucks can reduce their magic number to clinch the Eastern Conference’s top seed to 2 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with a victory over the No. 2 Celtics. Get live updates from Fiserv Forum.
Despite playing their fifth game in seven days – only reserve center Meyers Leonard is on the injury report for the Bucks. He is out with left calf soreness.
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What is the Bucks magic number?
4 The “magic number” is the combination of Bucks win and Celtics losses. The Bucks can not only halve that number with a win tonight, but they will also own the head-to-head tiebreaker after winning two of three against the Celtics.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. The MVP candidate will once again play in both games of a back-to-back set, which will be the eighth time he has done so this season.
What is the Bucks’ record in back-to-back games?
Heading into Thursday night, Milwaukee is 10-2 on the front end of those sets and 9-2 on the back end. They have lost to Miami (Jan. 12) and Denver (March 25) in the second games.
What channel are the Bucks on?
TNT. Kevin Harlan will be the play-by-play voice, with Reggie Miller providing analysis and Allie LaForce working on the sideline.
Who do the Bucks play next?
Milwaukee will get two days off and then host the surging Philadelphia 76ers, who have challenged the Bucks as the hottest team in the NBA. They are 25-10 since Jan. 14, including a comeback victory over the Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 4. Philadelphia has beaten Milwaukee twice already this season. Center Joel Embiid is averaging 33.2 points per game and is an MVP candidate while James Harden is averaging 21.3 points and 10.9 assists per game. Tyrese Maxey is having a breakout season alongside them, averaging 20.5 points per game.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday look to lead Bucks past Celtics and reduce magic number to clinch top seed in Eastern Conference, game updates