PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) take on the Milwaukee Bucks (18-24) on January 21, 2026 , with the Thunder favored by 9.5 points. Oklahoma City enters as the league's best team with the top record in the entire NBA , while Milwaukee sits in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference . The Thunder boast elite defensive capabilities, with their first-ranked defense against three-point shooting and league-leading turnover-forcing prowess creating major problems for opponents. Meanwhile, the Bucks will look to capitalize on their second-ranked three-point shooting efficiency , though they'll face an uphill battle against one of basketball's most dominant defensive units. The Thunder have posted a 4-1 record in their last five games while dealing with injuries to key players like Jaylen Williams and Alex Caruso , demonstrating their depth and resilience. Oklahoma City is 7-3 in their last ten games after securing a road victory over the Cavaliers , showing momentum heading into this matchup. The Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak with a narrow victory over Atlanta , though they remain inconsistent at just 5-5 in their last ten contests . The home team's fourth-ranked three-point defense and defensive rebounding prowess will be tested by a Thunder offense looking to extend their dominant season on the road.