It's a battle of the NBA's best as the Lakers and Bucks meet at Staples Center on Friday night.
Milwaukee enters the game with the top record in the league (53-9) behind another stellar season from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are on pace to join the 1995-96 Bulls and 2015-16 Warriors as the only teams in NBA history to win at least 70 games during the regular season.
MORE: The secret behind the Bucks' NBA-leading defense
Los Angeles, meanwhile, can become the first Western Conference team to clinch a playoff berth by defeating Milwaukee. (The Bucks and Raptors have already earned postseason spots in the Eastern Conference.) The Lakers (47-13) are looking to continue their current hot streak after winning nine of their last 10 games.
The subplot to this contest, of course, is Antetokounmpo going head-to-head with LeBron James, who beat Team Giannis at an intense 2020 NBA All-Star Game alongside Lakers teammate Anthony Davis. Antetokounmpo is the clear leader in the MVP race, but James' resurgence following an injury-plagued 2018-19 campaign is one of the most incredible stories of the season.
Which contender will emerge victorious in LA? Here is everything you need to know ahead of Lakers vs. Bucks, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Friday's game.
What channel is Lakers vs. Bucks on tonight?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch ESPN
The Lakers vs. Bucks game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, capping off an exciting Friday doubleheader. Heat vs. Pelicans will start the network's coverage at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).
What time does Lakers vs. Bucks start?
- Date: Friday, March 6
- Start time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT
The Lakers vs. Bucks game is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET following the conclusion of Heat vs. Pelicans.
Bucks schedule 2020
Here are the Bucks' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | at Lakers | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| March 8 | at Suns | 6 p.m. ET | — |
| March 9 | at Nuggets | 9 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| March 12 | vs. Celtics | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| March 14 | vs. Warriors | 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC |
Lakers schedule 2020
Here are the Lakers' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | vs. Bucks | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| March 8 | at Clippers | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC |
| March 10 | vs. Nets | 10:30 p.m. ET | — |
| March 12 | vs. Rockets | 10:30 p.m. ET | TNT |
| March 15 | vs. Nuggets | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN |
