Phoenix-suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions March 24th 2025

Suns Coach Mike Budenholzer Finally Faces Bucks

The Phoenix Suns are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in a highly anticipated matchup with plenty of storylines. It marks the first time that Mike Budenholzer, now the head coach of the Suns, will face his former team since being dismissed following the 2023 season.

Budenholzer led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship and amassed a stellar record of 271-120 over five seasons. Despite his impressive resume, his tenure in Milwaukee ended abruptly after a disappointing first-round exit as the top seed in the 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Bucks lost to the Miami Heat in just five games, leading to Budenholzer’s dismissal.

Following a year off, Budenholzer was appointed as the Suns’ head coach, replacing Frank Vogel. Ironically, his championship with the Bucks came at the expense of the Phoenix Suns, defeating them in six games during the 2021 NBA Finals. Now, Budenholzer aims to bring championship pedigree to the Valley of the Sun.

Budenholzer Focused on the Suns’ Playoff Push

Despite the emotional elements of the matchup, Budenholzer chose not to dwell on his past with the Bucks. After the Suns’ impressive 123-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, he remained focused on the task at hand.

“Yeah, I’m going to just enjoy tonight,” Budenholzer said. “We got two days, and we’ll get ready to play and it’ll be good… But I think we’re just going to take this in tonight.”

The Suns are riding a 3-0 start to their five-game homestand, which concludes on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. Sitting at 34-37, Phoenix is fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament, currently tied for the 10th seed with the Dallas Mavericks.

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Kevin Durant Shines Bright

One of the biggest reasons for the Suns’ recent surge has been the scoring brilliance of Kevin Durant. In the victory over Cleveland, Durant scored 42 points on 17-of-29 shooting, while adding eight assists and six rebounds. His precision and control on the court were on full display.

Durant’s ability to take over games has been vital, especially with Bradley Beal (hamstring) missing his fourth straight game. The Suns will need Durant and Devin Booker to continue carrying the scoring load, especially with a daunting schedule ahead that features several playoff-bound opponents.

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Milwaukee Bucks Look to Extend Streak Without Lillard

The Milwaukee Bucks (40-30) enter Monday’s game having won back-to-back matchups, including a gritty 114-108 win over the Sacramento Kings. Giannis Antetokounmpo once again demonstrated his dominance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. His third-quarter explosion of 22 points helped Milwaukee erase a 14-point deficit.

With Damian Lillard (calf) ruled out for the third straight game, as well as Bobby Portis Jr. (suspension) and Jericho Sims (thumb) also sidelined, the Bucks will lean even more on Antetokounmpo’s all-around impact.

The Bucks are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, trying to improve their position in the playoff race. With Doc Rivers at the helm, Milwaukee aims to finish strong despite dealing with significant injuries.

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Key Matchup: Kevin Durant vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo

The spotlight will inevitably shine on Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both superstars are at the top of their game, and their individual performances will likely determine the outcome. Durant’s scoring precision and Giannis’ relentless inside game create a fascinating clash of styles.

Durant has proven he can take over games with his lethal mid-range shooting and versatile offense, while Giannis uses his blend of power and finesse to dominate inside the paint. The Suns will need Durant to counter Giannis’ physicality with efficiency and finesse, while Phoenix must also contain Milwaukee’s supporting cast.

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Prediction: Suns 117, Bucks 113

The Suns are peaking at the right time and have momentum on their side. With Budenholzer on the sidelines guiding his new squad against his old one, look for Phoenix to rally behind Durant’s scoring and Booker’s support to edge out a close win.

The Bucks will not go down easily, especially with Giannis in beast mode. But without Lillard’s scoring threat, Milwaukee might struggle to keep pace with Phoenix’s high-powered offense.

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