Preview: Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks (13-58) have the worst record in the NBA. Even after the Philadelphia 76ers (15-56) lost 25-straight games, they’re still ahead of the Bucks in the standings.

The Lakers (24-46) visit Milwaukee on Thursday night, with a chance to win their third-straight game.

Steve Nash is iffy (nerve-root irritation), but the Lakers will play without Pau Gasol (vertigo), Kobe Bryant (knee) and Jordan Farmar (groin),

Key matchup

The Bucks defeated the Lakers on Dec. 31, 94-79, getting 37 points from guard Brandon Knight.

The Lakers had no answer from the third-year guard, who shot 15 for 25 from the field along with eight rebounds and four steals.

On the season, Knight is Milwaukee’s leading scorer at 17.4 points a night, along with 4.9 assists.

The Lakers only have one healthy point guard in Kendall Marshall, although Nash did travel with the team on their two-game road trip (with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday).

Marshall is averaging 8.2 points and 9.0 assists a game, but Jodie Meeks (15.3 points a night) may get the primary defensive assignment on Knight.

Ramon Sessions, acquired mid-season from the Charlotte Bobcats, has provided the Bucks with another capable scorer and playmaker in the backcourt.

X-factor

The Bucks have an interesting rookie in Giannis Antetokounmpo. While he’s not a big scorer (7.0 points a night), he’s already a strong defender and impressive athlete.

Against the Lakers in December, Antetokounmpo scored eight points with 11 rebounds.

Xavier Henry has been playing well for the Lakers. On Tuesday, Henry scored 22 points off the bench against the Knicks, despite a recently torn ligament in his (left) shooting wrist.

Outlook

The Bucks have improved offensively in recent weeks, despite their losing streak.

Chris Kaman will start for Gasol in a winnable game for the Lakers.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.