Almost a year, day to the day. This is the time that the Bucks waited to find their major trio at its full power in attack. For the first time since January 31, 2024, Giannis antetokounmpo,, Damian Lillard And Khris Middleton The three of them have passed the symbolic bar of the 20 points in the same match on Monday in Utah. It may seem anecdotal, but for a Milwaukee team which experienced the difficulties of adaptation of the Giannis – Lillard tandem and the injuries that drag on for Middleton, this performance is the symbol of a hope that grows in Wisconsin: that Back among the Cadors to the East.
The Bucks took advantage of their trip to a partly in a freewheeling to recite their ranges. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard had fun with 35 points each, and remarkable percentages: 16/23 for the “Greek Freak”, 14/22 for “Lady”. Khris Middleton, he perfectly assumed his role as offensive leader leaving the bench (22 points at 10/13) in a demonstration of talent, ease but also collective, since the three men exchanged between them ten assists .
“” I think they have scored very naturally by systems »Haded the coach Doc Rivers at a press conference. “” None of them really forced this, it is not as if they really tried to do so. And it's very good like that. »»
“Natural”, the same word also used by Khris Middletonauthor of his season record, with his 22 units. “” We played in the pace of the match. There have been very few actions or forced shoots. »»
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Duo Letal
The relationship between Giannis Antetkounmpo and Damian Lillard perfectly illustrates the increasingly interesting fluidity in the Bucks attack. From the first action of the match, the leader uses a false screen of his strong winger to shift on the left of the field, then served the “Greek Freak” against the circle. The double MVP poses a dribble, then finds Lillard and this time poses a real “block” for a high open fire.
If the former Blazers could not convert his attempt, this desire to find solutions for each other is contagious, whether it is on the pass, or by a simple good placement release his partner.
“” It was fluid, not from you, to me »Insisted Damian Lillard at the media. “” For example, we had Khris who left for the defense in transition, I launched it, the defense mixed the brushes on his oppositions, he had an easy basket. Then I go out of a screen, I find Giannis on a pass on the ground, the jazz anticipates too much and Khris is the guy who finds himself alone in the wing for an open 3-point shot. We continue on a pick-and-roll on the side of the field, this time, Brook Lopez is open and the defense tightens. This allows Khris to obtain a size advantage and it can shoot over a smaller defender. We complete each other, which I can do for Giannis, what he himself can do for Khris … It's just up to us to find this rhythm. »»
Bucks go up …
And in what way, with a seventh game where the trio has each exceeded the 20 units since the arrival of Damian Lillard last season. The leader now seems to be fully integrated with a sixth row match at more than 25 points, after having chained two triple-row triple-doubles.
A sign of his found co -inance, here he is now 46% half-detestation this season, a clear improvement compared to the past year (41%) and an additional weapon for Milwaukee. “” There are a lot about Damian and Giannis to cause problems, create chaos, force defenders to be late to challenge other guys's shots around them and that's what they did while scoring »Synthesize Khris Middleton.
The Bucks signed a superb 24/36 in the exercise in Utah, and an 8/13 in the intermediate zone between the racket and the 3-point line, where Damian Lillard like Khris Middleton does notably damage.
While signing a perfect 17/17 under the circle, where Giannis antetokounmpo makes his power speak, all the more if the opposing defenses must be paid further. It is undoubtedly not a coincidence if with this rise in power of its leaders, Milwaukee is one of the most fit teams of the League, with nine victories on its last eleven games. With the moment the advantage of the field in the first round of the playoffs …
