Original posted 11:28 AM PST
Brandon Jennings v. The Warriors, part deux. The last time the Bucks and the Warriors met, the Bucks rookie point guard went for 55 points, and became the toast of the rookie class. Remember that? Since that day, Jennings has fallen back to earth, shooting only 36%. Wasn't that the rap on him before the draft?
Jennings is still shooting a high percentage from three, though, so I'm guessing Curry will have to chase him over the screens. Or maybe Monta will pick him up. The Bucks recently lost Michael Redd to a season-ending knee injury, and don't have any other scoring threats at the 2 or 3 positions. Unless you count Luke Ridnour.
Despite their struggles in the backcourt, the Bucks will be a difficult matchup for the injury-depleted Warriors. Turiaf, Radmanovich and Watson are all doubtful for this game. Which leaves the Warriors without a true power forward. The Bucks have a couple of young athletic power forwards who are really coming on, Ersan Ilyasova, from Turkey, and Hakim Warrick. Luc Mbah-Moute is also a very tough inside player.
The Warriors will be matching up at the four with Corey Maggette and Cartier Martin. This is, to put it mildly, cause for concern. Remember what the athletic Thaddeus Young of the Sixers did to the Warriors? I fear we could be in for a replay.
Biedrins will also have his hands full, going against Bogut and Thomas. Bogut is a favorite target of Jennings in the paint.
The Warriors are -3.5 home favorites. The Bucks, like the Heat, are on the fourth game of a West coast road trip. They lost the previous three, and are slipping in the standings. You can be sure they have circled this game, and will be bringing their A game. The Warriors find themselves once again undersized and shorthanded. They have responded well in these circumstances so far this season, but are wearing down. I would be tempted to pick the Bucks, if I weren't such a homer.