On paper, there was no comparison between the Bucks who found Damian Lillard, and the Raptors who remained on 15 defeats in a row. Certainly, Giannis Antetokounmpo was in civilian clothes because of a thigh injury, but when you aim to win the title, you cannot afford to lose to a team already on vacation.
And yet, the Bucks lost a third time in a row against a team with less than 50% victories. It's still at home, and it's deserved! Once again, Doc Rivers' players played with fire. A game of stragglers as if they only needed to play five minutes to beat the Raptors.
Buoyed by the skill of Gary Trent Jr. and the acceleration of Immanuel Quickley, the Raptors made the break in the 3rd quarter. Logical since the Bucks had not managed to kill the match when Khris Middleton had given them a 10-point lead in the middle of the second quarter (40-30).
However, Damian Lillard was in good shape, but the solo numbers were not enough. Especially when the passes are poorly assured, and there is no fallback behind.
Damian Lillard comes out for six fouls
Taking the lead at the break (58-54) thanks to Trent, the Raptors will therefore drive home the point after returning from the locker room. Easy baskets follow one another, by RJ Barrett or Kelly Olynyk, then Trent, again, plants two 3-pointers in a row to lead by 14 points (77-63). On the bench, Doc Rivers goes on strike for the timeout.
He lets his players fend for themselves, and it is the energy of Bobby Portis, certainly very clumsy, and rookie Andre Jackson Jr. which puts the Bucks back on track (90-85). Thanks to a 9-0, Milwaukee even got back in front at the start of the 4th quarter. But Trent continues his 3-point festival, and the Raptors regain control. They lead by four points two minutes from the end (110-106).
Time for “Dame Time” usually. Except that Damian Lillard has just taken his 6th foul, and it's Bobby Portis who is trying to save the country. He closes the gap, but he takes a stupid technique behind.
The Raptors' arms don't shake on the line. Khris Middleton maintains the suspense at 3-points, and he even has the victory ball at 113-111. But his 3-pointer hits the back of the circle. Quickley takes the rebound. Fault on the former Knicks leader, who validates the victory of the Raptors (117-111).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Bucks in distress. Fifteen victories for sixteen defeats. This is the (negative) assessment of Doc Rivers at the head of the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's teammates are sinking at the end of the season with three defeats in a row against teams already on vacation. It's even the fifth defeat in six matches, and mathematically, the Bucks are still not guaranteed to compete in the playoffs.
– An invisible “Big Three”. Since Doc Rivers took the reins of the Bucks, he has only been able to field his three best players… six times! This night, Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard were present, but Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent. Difficult to work on automation in these conditions.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
