LOS ANGELES – The Milwaukee Bucks have yet another chance to take advantage of scheduling and injury issues for an opponent, as they face the diminished Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Crypto.com Arena .

The Lakers (43-25) are on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, and they will be holding out star Luka Dončić . Last week the Bucks couldn’t contain Dončić as he scored 45 points in 35 minutes in a Lakers loss at Fiserv Forum. The Lakers also decided to sit Austin Reaves (28 points vs. the Bucks) as they play their sixth game in the last eight days.

Former league MVP LeBron James was already hurt after suffering a groin strain on March 8.

The Bucks (38-30) played poorly in a loss against Golden State on Tuesday , even though the Warriors were playing without Stephen Curry and on the second night of a back-to-back. Last Sunday the Bucks also had a bad loss to Oklahoma City, which had flown in from a tough game in Detroit and were without all-star forward Jalen Williams and all-defensive team candidate Lu Dort.

Milwaukee’s recent skid of five losses in its last seven games began at home against Orlando on March 8, and the Magic were without starting guard Jalen Suggs, and then the Bucks lost at Indiana on March 11 after the Pacers had a bad loss in Chicago the night before.

Damian Lillard downgraded for Bucks

After the Bucks shot around Thursday morning, all-star point guard Damian Lillard was downgraded to questionable to play as he manages soreness in his right groin. Lillard has been playing through that issue since March 11. In the five games he’s played with the injury, Lillard is averaging just 19.4 points per game on 37.1% shooting. He’s also just making 35% of his three-pointers.

Is Giannis playing?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is probable to play vs. Lakers as he’s managing soreness in his right knee. It’s an issue he’s dealt with since training camp but has yet to miss a game due to it. Antetokounmpo has played in 15 straight games since the all-star break.

What time is the Bucks game?

It is a late tip-off, with the game scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. CT.

What channel are the Bucks on?

The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Dave Koehn, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call. Josh Maurer will fill in on WTMJ Radio and the BMO Bucks Radio Network.

Bucks injury report

Lakers injury report

Bucks probable starters

Bucks vs. Lakers odds, over/under

Milwaukee is a 3.5-point favorite over Los Angeles, with the over/under set at 226.5 points, per BetMGM.