Milwaukee (13 - 7)

Expert Pick
0% ><·········· 50%

Oklahoma City (15 - 4)

A Tale of Two Guards


A Tale of Two Guards David vs Goliath, Obi-wan vs Anakin, Rocky vs Drago. Some of the best matches or fights in history have come down to one man vs another, and this matchup is no different. SGA vs Ant Man. Arguably the current top 2 guards in the league, both currently top 5 in MVP conversation, these two are on a completely different level compared to the rest of the guards in the league. The Bucks: The Bucks have had a bit of a rocky start to the season, currently 11-7, the defending champs are not the same team of yesterseason. SGA is still SGA, atop in MVP conversation, as the reigning MVP is having another fantastic season, but their current downfall comes from a flurry of trades by new GM, and former wolves GM EthanC21, along with some untimely injuries. Moving off of Herro, Robinson, and Turner, while bringing in Wiggins and Gafford among other players, the early season struggles can mostly be attributed to injuries and the new GM getting accustomed to his new team. However not all is lost. Ethan seems to have finally gathered the reigns, with MIL winning their last 6 games. However this next matchup is no walk in the park, or for MIL, a stroll in the MIL mountainside. OKC: Surprise surprise? Nah, not really. The only surprise here is HOW GOOD OKC has been. It’s no surprise that OKC is in the playoff conversation, but sitting atop the west at 15-4? I don’t think anyone expected that from them. But at this point it isn’t surprising. The guard duo of Ant and Trae are averaging a combined whooping 64.8ppg, no thats not a typo, 64ppg, with Edwards averaging 41ppg, good enough for second in the league in scoring, only sitting behind current MVP favorite the Greek Freak. OKC ended up enhancing their C depth this offseason as well, bringing back DJ and trading for 2K darling DeAndre Ayton, who has been among the best rebounders in the league. This trio have been a dominant force all season with no signs of stopping, and that’s not just this season, but for years to come. Projected Matchups: PG: Trae Young vs SGA: Winner - SGA Two of the best young guards in the league matchup at the PG position in this matchup, although this isnt the matchup people will be talking about. The reigning MVP gets the nod here, averaging an insane 40/5/5 with 2.2spg, on a ridiculous 53/44/90 split, SGA is truly 1 of 1. His ability to get to the rim, shoot from anywhere, and be a solid perimeter defender is sure to cause fits for Young on both sides of the ball. However Young isn’t a slouch either. Averaging a solid 23/3/6 plus 1spg on 43/34/84 splits, Trae young has been the perfect partner in crime for Edwards, but unfortunately, is no match for the MVP. SG: Alex Caruso vs Andrew Wiggins: Winner - Caruso This is arguably the closest of the starter matchups. Caruso isnt as good on offense as Wiggins, hes a defensive stalwart and that gives him the edge over Wiggins. Hes one of the best perimeter defenders, and overall one of the best defenders in the league. Averaging 2.1 stocks per game along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, Caruso is a solid all around guard that is a nightmare to try and score against. Wiggins is good, averaging more points per game on slightly better splits, but his defensive production has drastically fallen over the years, giving Caruso the edge. SF: Paul George vs Anthony Edwards: Winner - Edwards While this will indeed be a fun matchup, Edwards is just on another level rn. Top 5 in the MVP convo and second in the league in scoring at 41ppg, Edwards has finally seemed to gotten the respect from Ronnie he rightfully deserved, I would expect PG13 to do his best against Edwards, but his streakiness and drop in play over the years hurts him in this matchup. He’s still a lethal player and a great defender, but the youngster in Antman gets the win over PG in a battle of old vs young. PF: Evan Mobley vs Brandon Clarke: Winner - Mobley OKC just traded away Marvin Bagley and a pick for PF Brandon Clarke in a move many around the league saw as a smart play by the OKC GM, however, Clarke still losses this matchup and it’s not even close. Mobley has officially taken that AS leap so many of us have been waiting for. While he’s not a big time scorer, his instincts on the defensive end have arguably made him a top 10 big man in the league this year, and while also being PF eligible, it makes him even more dangerous as there are time when the 6’11 big man can be a from roamer on defense. Mobley is the clear winner here, and should dominate Clarke. C: DeAndre Ayton vs Mo Bamba: Winner - Ayton This one is a lot closer than it looks. Yes, Ayton is the better player, but Bamba is a 2K glitch and was one of the most sought after FA this year. His shot blocking ability is among the leagues best, and his ability to stretch the floor is also crucial. But Ayton is a beast of his own. Top 3 in rebounds currently, Ayton has been a godsend for this OKC team, no longer having to rely on undersized bigs, Ayton has been a dominAytoning force on both ends of the floor, averaging 13/15 along with nearly 3 stocks a game. Ayton has been the near ideal 3rd man being the guard duo of Edwards and Young. Bench: OKC vs MIL: Winner - MIL This one is closer than it looks, OKC has a solid bench with Grimes, Davion Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaden hardy and DeAndre Jordan, another 2K glitch big, but unfortunately, none of them can keep up with the 2 man game of Big Gaff and Buddy Hield. Buddy was arguably the second most sought after FA, and Ethan went all in on him. And gaff was a sneaky good trade for MIL, providing size and rebounding off the bench. Those two, along with just the overall extra size MIL has on their bench vs OKC, gives MIL the edge in the bench debate.

David vs Goliath, Obi-wan vs Anakin, Rocky vs Drago. Some of the best matches or fights in history have come down to one man vs another, and this matchup is no different. SGA vs Ant Man. Arguably the current top 2 guards in the league, both currently top 5 in MVP conversation, these two are on a completely different level compared to the rest of the guards in the league.

The Bucks:

The Bucks have had a bit of a rocky start to the season, currently 11-7, the defending champs are not the same team of yesterseason. SGA is still SGA, atop in MVP conversation, as the reigning MVP is having another fantastic season, but their current downfall comes from a flurry of trades by new GM, and former wolves GM EthanC21, along with some untimely injuries. Moving off of Herro, Robinson, and Turner, while bringing in Wiggins and Gafford among other players, the early season struggles can mostly be attributed to injuries and the new GM getting accustomed to his new team. However not all is lost. Ethan seems to have finally gathered the reigns, with MIL winning their last 6 games. However this next matchup is no walk in the park, or for MIL, a stroll in the MIL mountainside.

OKC:

Surprise surprise? Nah, not really. The only surprise here is HOW GOOD OKC has been. It’s no surprise that OKC is in the playoff conversation, but sitting atop the west at 15-4? I don’t think anyone expected that from them. But at this point it isn’t surprising. The guard duo of Ant and Trae are averaging a combined whooping 64.8ppg, no thats not a typo, 64ppg, with Edwards averaging 41ppg, good enough for second in the league in scoring, only sitting behind current MVP favorite the Greek Freak. OKC ended up enhancing their C depth this offseason as well, bringing back DJ and trading for 2K darling DeAndre Ayton, who has been among the best rebounders in the league. This trio have been a dominant force all season with no signs of stopping, and that’s not just this season, but for years to come.

Projected Matchups:

PG: Trae Young vs SGA: Winner - SGA

Two of the best young guards in the league matchup at the PG position in this matchup, although this isnt the matchup people will be talking about. The reigning MVP gets the nod here, averaging an insane 40/5/5 with 2.2spg, on a ridiculous 53/44/90 split, SGA is truly 1 of 1. His ability to get to the rim, shoot from anywhere, and be a solid perimeter defender is sure to cause fits for Young on both sides of the ball. However Young isn’t a slouch either. Averaging a solid 23/3/6 plus 1spg on 43/34/84 splits, Trae young has been the perfect partner in crime for Edwards, but unfortunately, is no match for the MVP.

SG: Alex Caruso vs Andrew Wiggins: Winner - Caruso

This is arguably the closest of the starter matchups. Caruso isnt as good on offense as Wiggins, hes a defensive stalwart and that gives him the edge over Wiggins. Hes one of the best perimeter defenders, and overall one of the best defenders in the league. Averaging 2.1 stocks per game along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, Caruso is a solid all around guard that is a nightmare to try and score against. Wiggins is good, averaging more points per game on slightly better splits, but his defensive production has drastically fallen over the years, giving Caruso the edge.

SF: Paul George vs Anthony Edwards: Winner - Edwards

While this will indeed be a fun matchup, Edwards is just on another level rn. Top 5 in the MVP convo and second in the league in scoring at 41ppg, Edwards has finally seemed to gotten the respect from Ronnie he rightfully deserved, I would expect PG13 to do his best against Edwards, but his streakiness and drop in play over the years hurts him in this matchup. He’s still a lethal player and a great defender, but the youngster in Antman gets the win over PG in a battle of old vs young.

PF: Evan Mobley vs Brandon Clarke: Winner - Mobley

OKC just traded away Marvin Bagley and a pick for PF Brandon Clarke in a move many around the league saw as a smart play by the OKC GM, however, Clarke still losses this matchup and it’s not even close. Mobley has officially taken that AS leap so many of us have been waiting for. While he’s not a big time scorer, his instincts on the defensive end have arguably made him a top 10 big man in the league this year, and while also being PF eligible, it makes him even more dangerous as there are time when the 6’11 big man can be a from roamer on defense. Mobley is the clear winner here, and should dominate Clarke.

C: DeAndre Ayton vs Mo Bamba: Winner - Ayton

This one is a lot closer than it looks. Yes, Ayton is the better player, but Bamba is a 2K glitch and was one of the most sought after FA this year. His shot blocking ability is among the leagues best, and his ability to stretch the floor is also crucial. But Ayton is a beast of his own. Top 3 in rebounds currently, Ayton has been a godsend for this OKC team, no longer having to rely on undersized bigs, Ayton has been a dominAytoning force on both ends of the floor, averaging 13/15 along with nearly 3 stocks a game. Ayton has been the near ideal 3rd man being the guard duo of Edwards and Young.

Bench: OKC vs MIL: Winner - MIL

This one is closer than it looks, OKC has a solid bench with Grimes, Davion Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Jaden hardy and DeAndre Jordan, another 2K glitch big, but unfortunately, none of them can keep up with the 2 man game of Big Gaff and Buddy Hield. Buddy was arguably the second most sought after FA, and Ethan went all in on him. And gaff was a sneaky good trade for MIL, providing size and rebounding off the bench. Those two, along with just the overall extra size MIL has on their bench vs OKC, gives MIL the edge in the bench debate.

Bucks Star

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
When it comes to the reigning MVP, SGA can never, ever be counted out. SGA is third in the league in scoring at 40ppg, only behind his opponent Edwards and The Greek Freak. SGA is going to do what he does best and put the ball in the basket. His ability to get to the basket and score is parallel to none and his defense also needs to be mentioned. at 2.2spg, his defense will strike fear into his opponents. SGA will need to play some of his basketball of the season if he wants to lead his Bucks to victory, especially against OKC, but he's up for the challenge.

PPG 39.9

RPG 4.7

APG 4.8

SPG 2.0

BPG 0.7

FPG 2.7

TPG 2.0

PPG 41.3

RPG 5.0

APG 4.0

SPG 0.8

BPG 0.6

FPG 1.6

TPG 1.6

Thunder Star

Anthony Edwards
There's no surprise who the key player is for OKC, it's the main that been second in the league in scoring this season, the absolute athletic freak Anthony Edwards. This high flying madman has squarely put his name into the MVP conversation with him leading OKC so atop the western conference a quarter of the way through the season, with seemingly no one being able to slow him down. Edwards defense is elite as well, being a great perimeter defender, and has also greatly, GREALTY improved his 3pt shooting this season, all of which will be needed to win this game.

X-Factor
Paul George is the X Factor here. His streaky play has been part of the reason why MIL is only the 6th seed. If PG13 can be the PG we know he can be, them him, SGA and Mobley will be a dominant trio that should get the job done. But if he isn’t, than SGA can try and carry this team all he wants, he won’t have enough scoring backup to do so.

Injury Report
Team is healthy this week Returning Players: Alex Caruso (returning from Hip) - 8 NBA Games missed this season	Team is healthy this week Returning Players: Kobe Brown (returning from Back) - 5 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
This game is gonna be close, no doubt about it. Maybe we even get some free basketball? Who knows how far this game will go, but in the end, I think the duo of Edwards and Young will be a bit too much for the reigning MVP to handle. OKC by 5.

		Comments (1)
EthanC21 12/20 02:20 am	Thanks for the write up! This will be a big game, I think Thunder could have us here, we haven't looked super sharp this week! Excited for this

	SAC	98
	LAC	103

	CHA	110
	PHO	113

	LAL	97
	SA	121

	IND	110
	LAL	107

	GS	101
	CLE	107