Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Milwaukee Bucks
When: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2:00 p.m ET
Where: Smoothie King Center
How to watch: ABC
While few teams can say they have an athlete comparable to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Pelicans have a case in Zion Williamson. For the first time of hopefully many to come on Sunday, the two will square off with one another on national television.
With Williamson, the Pelicans have not only become a must-watch team but an above-average team. But Sunday’s opponent is another level than the one played since Williamson’s return. The Bucks are league’s best 41-7 and are 6.5 games up on the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo’s stat line is other wordly this season as he is averaging 30.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.7 rebounds all in 30.7 minutes per game. And yet, Khris Middleton put up 51 points two games ago in a win over the Wizards.
The two are a large part of the reason the Bucks have established themselves as a dominant force. But Williamson also has established himself as a dominant force. For the first time this season, Williamson will match up with a physical freak of nature akin to himself. Seeing how he handles the match-up and whether he excels will be a fascinating storyline to follow not just on Sunday but moving forward in his career.