The Bucks had been mired in a bubble mini-slump before turning a 23-point deficit into a double-digit win against the Heat in their last outing. That they have already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference lends a motivational question against a Dallas club still fighting for position in the lower-tier of the Western Conference playoff race. Even so, the Bucks need to get playoff-ready with each performance, and there is a payback angle at hand as they lost at home as a 10-point chalk against Dallas earlier this season.

These are two of the best offensive teams in the NBA, and both love to push the tempo. The Bucks are No. 1 in pace, and the Mavericks are No. 1 in offensive efficiency. Dallas' defense also is below average. Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 48 in a 120-116 loss at home on Dec. 16 to the Luka Doncic-less Mavericks. This will be a fun game to watch as I think both stars, Giannis and Luka, have very high-scoring games.