This is a new thing I’m trying out for Monday’s programming. We chat about the Bucks’ upcoming week and see where they’re at with the schedule, any big headlines and what to keep an eye out for. Also, this will serve as a place to do mini-recaps if I cannot get a Bucks Buzz up for a weekend game. It’s a good week to start this blog post seeing as the Milwaukee Bucks have four games this week. For the first time this year, Milwaukee will play four games in five nights. Not an easy task for the young Bucks but they’re up to the challenge.

What happened this weekend? Bucks spoil Jabari’s return – What a win for Milwaukee on Friday night. They were down 22 to the lowly Bulls in the first half. You saw the crows circling for the first #BucksTwitter meltdown of the year, and it didn’t happen. Why? Because Milwaukee found the secret sauce in the second half. Huge second half led by Eric Bledsoe and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bucks surged past the Bulls to win by 22. They were 14.5 favorites and somehow easily covered the spread. Live odds must have been fun in the first half for Milwaukee.

This week’s slate
Monday: Denver – Revenge spot for the Nuggets who Milwaukee found a way to beat late in the game two Sundays ago. Nuggets have lost five of their last six games with their only win being a demolishing victory against Atlanta. Nikola Jokic has been a problem for Milwaukee in the past. Milwaukee will don their city uniforms for tonight’s matchup.

Wednesday: Portland – Another rematch of a game earlier this month. Portland handled the Bucks at the Moda Center and beat them by 15. In that game, the Blazers basically hit every fucking shot imaginable. Can’t imagine that will happen again on Wednesday night. Portland will be on the second game of a back-to-back as they play New York on Tuesday. Portland will have played three games in four nights.

Friday: Phoenix – Just take care of business here. Suns aren’t very good, and Bucks should get a fun holiday crowd for this one. Milwaukee needs to handle Phoenix from the start, and they’re shouldn’t be any problems here.

Saturday: San Antonio – Bucks could benefit from a blowout against the Suns if they’re able to rest Giannis and co with a San Antonio matchup the next night. Again, it should be a great crowd for this one. Weird to see DeMar DeRozan in another uniform. San Antonio plays a similar schedule to the Bucks, so, both teams will be a little weary.

Bucks should go 2-2 this week at the very worst. Portland, Denver and San Antonio are all above .500, so, you have to take that into consideration, but these are all winnable ones for Milwaukee especially Phoenix.

Things to watch
Thon Maker’s time – With no John Henson, Thon Maker’s playing time will increase significantly. He did some nice things on Friday night in his first game replacing Henson, but more will be asked of him in the next couple of months. I’m fascinated to see how his development goes with the team.

Donte’s retun? – Donte DiVincenzo is sidelined with a quad injury making Milwaukee a bit short-handed. Bucks reported he could be ready for the game against Phoenix on Friday. I almost wonder if he’ll get the full week off and be back for the back-to-back against San Antonio.

City uniforms debut – As mentioned, the Bucks will wear their city uniforms on Monday. We’ll see how they look live and on bodies tonight. Will the Bucks do a pseudo MECCA court tonight? We haven’t heard anything like that, but I’ve mentioned that will pump the look of these awful jerseys up a bit. If the Bucks lose by more than seven points, I’m 10000 percent blaming the jerseys.

Let’s have a week, Bucks.

Charlie.