The Milwaukee Bucks (20-7) took benefit of a visibly disjointed San Antonio Spurs (4-22) group lacking its star rookie with 62% taking pictures within the first quarter enroute to a comparatively simple 132-119 residence victory. Within the technique of securing the victorious outcome, Damian Lillard (40 factors and 4 assists) grew to become the 51st participant in NBA historical past to surpass 20,000 factors.
With Victor Wembanyama lacking his second recreation of the season, San Antonio’s slack was picked up by Zach Collins (22 factors, 8 rebounds, and a couple of blocks), Keldon Johnson (28 factors and 12 rebounds), and Devin Vassell (17 factors).
Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (11 factors, 16 assists, and 14 rebounds), Lillard, and Khris Middelton (17 factors and 4 assists) led an overwhelming Bucks squad that piled up 72 factors within the first half. They acquired a stable bench contribution from Bobby Portis (23 factors, 10 rebounds, and a couple of steals).
The primary quarter noticed Lillard and Portis outscore the Spurs squad by themselves 31-26. Milwaukee appeared set on making the sport a monitor meet, whereas San Antonio appeared caught in mud on each ends.
Johnson and Collins began to get heat from the sphere within the second quarter to make the sport a bit extra respectable. San Antonio competed extra capably within the third body to chop into the Milwaukee benefit. Nevertheless, every one of many Bucks’ huge three, particularly Lillard and Khris Middleton with their taking pictures and Giannis together with his playmaking, took turns turning again any and all Spurs’ runs.
Observations
Finest former Spurs that had been additionally stable contributors on the Bucks? Terry Cummings, Alvin Robertson, Frank Brickowski.
Is Lillard able to taking part in satisfactory protection? It might appear to make sense for whomever he’s guarding to attempt to make him pay on the different finish.
It was actually spectacular to observe Jones regularly assault the paint and rim amongst the Bucks’ timber.
When the Bucks make a free throw, jingle bell sounds go off. Possibly the Spurs might do a jingle-jangle .wav file.
Collins and Brook Lopez seems like a heavyweight match-up made for the 90s.
Devin’s Deeds: He made a very nice baseline lower within the second quarter to get himself a 3-point play. His motion off the ball is essential, particularly as he continues to stand up fewer than anticipated shot makes an attempt.
Keldon Johnson’s motor by no means stops.
Why can’t Giannis shoot threes?
Hustle Play of the Sport: Partway via the second interval, Collins, wanting like he may commit a turnover, as a substitute discovered a chopping Johnson via a thicket of arms for a tricky layup.
After a gap Collins bucket, Milwaukee blitzed the Spurs on an 18-1 run. A Tre Jones layup and a Vassell transition dunk had been the one shiny spots in an in any other case troublesome quarter to observe. One errant go one way or the other eluded three Spurs’ defenders and located its method into the arms of Bobby Portis who swished a floater. Lillard poured in 19 factors and Portis netted dozen with Bucks going up 44-26.
Johnson and Collins discovered higher offensive footing within the second quarter, however the Spurs weren’t in a position to lower an excessive amount of into the deficit. Antetokounmpo was hilariously known as for a 10-second violation late within the half. San Antonio hit on over 60% of its photographs after its horrid opening, however they solely dug into the Bucks lead by three.
Constructing on their first half momentum, Collins’ three and Johnson’s putback introduced the Bucks’ lead beneath double digits. Whether or not it was Antetokounmpo, Lillard, or Khris Middleton, every of them spearheaded a run to reply no matter San Antonio threw at them. Dominick Barlow obtained into the sport late within the third.
An in any other case drama-free fourth quarter was interrupted when Sochan and Portis had been tousled on the sideline and needed to be separated, which in fact introduced a tune from ‘Frozen’ over the PA? A Branham wing three introduced the Spurs inside a dozen. After Portis cleared him away with the off-hand on a layup, Collins decked him on the different finish. A lot of the starters completed the sport surprisingly. Regardless of the opening flurry of factors by Milwaukee within the first, the Spurs had been in a position to largely play even with them the remainder of the way in which.
For the Bucks fan’s perspective, please go to Brew Hoop.
San Antonio takes on DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls Thursday evening at 7:00 PM CDT.
