From the first minutes of the game, we quickly understood that this meeting was not going to become a defensive summit. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic start the hostilities with 12 points each in the first quarter, dominated by a short header by the Mavericks (33-34). In the second quarter, the Bucks (deprived of Khris Middleton) responded with a well-established defense.
They steal balls, they score points and they go 14-0. But Dallas came back little by little and was only two points behind at halftime (60-58). After the break, it’s the Mavericks’ turn to have a highlight. The Texans go 13-0, with an excellent Kyrie Irving. The Bucks react with several winning shots and an active Damian Lillard even if there is still a gap before the last act (89-98).
Here again, Milwaukee made a run, with a big 16-2. However, Jason Kidd’s troops are not giving up their weapons. Kyrie Irving carries them against an imposing Giannis (40 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists) and in “money time”, it takes two award-winning shots from Pat Connaughton to make them fold for good. Victory for the Bucks (132-135) and it’s the fourth in a row for the 2021 champions.
What you must remember
– A defenseless match. Both teams had no trouble taking open shots (92 3-point shots) because the defenses did not exert much pressure. What could be more logical, no doubt, since both teams have struggled in this area since the start of the season. We only saw in sequences a defensive intensity worthy of this poster and, for the rest, it was above all the offensive talent of the actors which spoke.
– Milwaukee on the podium. Despite obvious defense and automation problems, the Bucks signed a 4th victory in a row, and here they are 3rd in the East with 9 victories for 4 defeats. It’s the same record as Dallas. At home, Adrian Griffin’s players are difficult to handle with six wins in seven matches.
– Kyrie Irving tried everything. He went through the first period without making any impact, with only six points at 3/10 on the shoot. Then, the Mavericks playmaker gained momentum after the break with 33 units! In “Uncle Drew” mode, with superb finishes near the circle despite the defenders, it was he who allowed Dallas to believe in it in the last quarter. The 2016 champion finished with 39 points at 16/29 on the shoot.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
