No three pass for the Bucks, who are already relapsing after their victories against the Pistons and the Raptors. Still deprived of Damian Lillard, Doc Rivers' men lost 115-114 on two free throws from LaMelo Ball with seven seconds left. Author of a huge triple-double, Giannis Antetokounmpo misses the winning shot against the circle, and it is he who made the (imaginary) mistake which sends Ball to the throw line.
Until then, Giannis had almost signed the perfect match with a monster activity in the first quarter to highlight an astonishing Taurean Prince. In their wake, the Bucks escape (39-33), and it takes a hyperactive Moussa Diabaté on the rebound to offer second chances to his teammates, or even put them in. The Frenchman weighs on the match, and it is important for the Hornets because Ball is well muzzled by Andre Jackson Jr. At halftime, Milwaukee remains in front (63-59) with Prince already at 15 points.
Moussa Diabate, the rebound vacuum cleaner
Four minutes after returning from the locker room, Giannis already validates his triple-double, and he finds in Andre Jackson Jr. a reliable shooter to insist on drive-and-kick. It's not very varied, but the Bucks remain in front (70-64). In Charlotte, Josh Green takes advantage of great freedom to strike from afar, and the returning Miles Bridges imposes his power. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Bucks retained their four point lead (90-86) thanks to another comeback, Bobby Portis.
The 4th quarter is intense, and the Bucks are unable to create a small gap. Which benefits Moussa Diabaté, who equalizes (97-97) on a caviar from Ball. Thanks to Jackson Jr.'s 3-pointer and a huge “poster dunk” from Giannis on Miles Bridges, the Bucks attack the last five minutes with still this gap of four points (107-103). But they foil and the Bridges-Ball tandem takes the math into their own hands. Pat Connaughton responds to them, but the referees call a severe foul on Giannis, since the slow motion shows that it was Ball, himself, who was unbalanced on his own. There are seven seconds left, and Ball's arm does not shake to equalize then give a small point lead (115-114). Giannis misses the last shot, and the Hornets return to victory after their defeats against the Sixers and the Magic.
What to remember
Giannis' evening of contrasts. First triple-double of the season for the Bucks power forward with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. But it's him who causes the (imaginary) foul on LaMelo Ball, then who misses the winning shot even though he had the basket wide open.
Moussa “Rodman” Diabate. The Frenchman is the revelation of this start of the season for the Hornets with a 4th game in a row with 11 rebounds or more. This evening, he signed a nice double-double with 10 offensive rebounds!
LaMelo Ball is clutch. Well muzzled by Andre Jackson Jr, Ball waited until the 4th quarter to strike with 15 of his 26 points. Author of the free throws for the win, he benefited from a big boost from the referees on this slip.
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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.
