One in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks, is visited by one in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers. Both have gone as steamrollers this season with 24 wins in 28 matches.
Ahead of last night's summit, last year's most valuable player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ever-young LeBron James, paid tribute to basketball's number one star.
- One of my goals is to be able to play at the highest level for the next ten years, just like LeBron. He turns 35 this month and yet he moves as he does, plays as he does, so smart ... that's totally insane, says "The Greek Freak", and continues:
- But he is LeBron James and then you expect it from him. He is different from everyone else. He is an alien.
"A real test for us"Antetokounmpo makes its seventh season in the league and continues to improve its statistics columns. He is currently averaging career-best 31.7 points per game and 12.8 rebounds.
James, who is making his 17th NBA season, has not slowed down significantly either. Among other things, he is currently averaging career-best 10.6 assists and 6.2 three-pointers per game.
Much remains of the season, but tonight the Lakers and Bucks get the chance of a heavy prestige victory before the New Year.
- The Lakers are one of the best teams in the league and will be a real test for us, says Antetokounmpo.