The NBA's two top teams meet as LeBron James and the Lakers visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Thursday.
MORE: Watch Lakers vs. Bucks live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Milwaukee (24-4) got off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, splitting its first four games. But it then went 22-1 over its next 23 games before falling to Dallas on Monday. Antetokounmpo continues to prove his 2019 MVP was warranted, as the 25-year-old's 31.7 points and 12.8 rebounds per game rank second and fifth in the league, respectively.
Los Angeles (24-4) is coming off a loss to the Pacers on Tuesday that snapped a seven-game winning streak. James and teammate Anthony Davis have keyed the Lakers to their best start since the days of Kobe Bryant and have the team looking like a sure-fire title contender come June. At the age of 34, James is playing some of the best basketball of his incredible career. Along with his 25.9 points per game, James is averaging a league-best 10.6 assists.
Thursday begins a tough stretch for LA, as it plays the Bucks, Clippers, Nuggets and Mavericks over its next five games. Milwaukee has an easier schedule in the coming weeks, but dates with Indiana and Philadelphia should provide a tough challenge for the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Lakers vs. Bucks, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Thursday night's game.
MORE: Lakers vs. Bucks by the numbers
What channel is Lakers vs. Bucks on today?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Lakers vs. Bucks is broadcast live on TNT. The "NBA on TNT" crew of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal will host the studio show before and after TNT's coverage Thursday, which also includes Rockets vs. Clippers as the nightcap. Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Allie LaForce are on the call for Lakers vs. Bucks.
You can also live-stream the game by signing up for fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.
Lakers vs. Bucks: What time is tipoff?
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 19
- Start time: 5 p.m. PT | 8 p.m. ET
The 8 p.m. ET tipoff (5 p.m. PT) is the first of a doubleheader on TNT. The Rockets and Clippers will follow, tipping off at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT).
Lakers schedule 2019
Here are the Lakers' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 19 | at Bucks | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Nuggets | 9:30 p.m. ET | NBA TV |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Clippers | 8 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Dec. 28 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 29 | vs. Mavericks | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
Bucks schedule 2019
Here are the Bucks' next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 19 | vs. Lakers | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| Dec. 21 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Pacers | 7 p.m. ET | — |
| Dec. 25 | at Sixers | 2:30 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Dec. 27 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. ET | — |