For his big return to the sidelines, Doc Rivers couldn't imagine a better challenge: challenging the NBA champions in Denver! Thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, the Bucks had the best start with a 13-point lead (24-11) after six minutes of play. On the Nuggets side, a player stood out, Jamal Murray.
The Denver leader had one of his best first halves, and he caught all the defenders Doc Rivers threw at him. At his side, Nikola Jokic sets big screens, and distributes the play, and at the break, the Nuggets came back to score (56-56). Returning from the locker room, same scenario with Malik Beasley and Giannis Antetokounmpo giving the Bucks the advantage (63-58). The duel between Jokic and Giannis reaches new heights, and little by little, the Serb puts his big paws on the match.
DeAndre Jordan puts on a show
Blocks, rebounds, but also quick restarts for his wingers… Nikola Jokic is everywhere, and he even dunks Brook Lopez on the counter-attack. In his wake, the Nuggets took control, and they attacked the last quarter with a seven-point lead (82-75). A look at the stats sheet shows us that Jokic already has his triple-double in his pocket!
The last quarter is a treat with two teams very close to each other. It’s DeAndre Jordan who kicks off the hostilities with an alley-oop “poster dunk” on Giannis’ face! This wakes up the Bucks who sign an 11-2 to get back in front (88-86). Giannis is untenable, but Jamal Murray comes out of his box. We go blow for blow, and it's Michael Porter Jr who plays the X factors to widen the gap: 104-97 four minutes from the end. We think that mass is said after this 8-0, except that Giannis plants the 3-point of hope (108-105).
It was ultimately Aaron Gordon on a chasedown block on Damian Lillard which validated the victory for the Nuggets, and therefore inflicted Doc Rivers with his first defeat at the head of the Bucks.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Doc Rivers hasn't changed. Standing, often with his arms crossed, we found the same Doc Rivers as with the Clippers or the Sixers. He often asked Joe Prunty, his first assistant, for advice, and he lost his temper with the refereeing at the end of the match after an offensive foul was called against Brook Lopez.
– Jokic in Diesel mode. Without seeming to touch it, Nikola Jokic signs his 14th triple-double of the season with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists. Brook Lopez made his life complicated with his skill from afar, but the Serbian gained momentum as the minutes passed, to sign a great 3rd quarter.
– From the very great Murray. The Beasley-Lillard pair remains the Bucks' weak link in defense, and Murray has given them trouble. Rivers sent Pat Connaughton to take care of the Canadian point guard, and it didn't change much. With his 35 points, he signed one of his best matches of the season, and he won his duel with Lillard.
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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.
