Back-to-back after their victory against the Pacers, the Bucks continued with a 6th victory in seven matches, and as the score suggests (125-119), it was complicated against the Hornets by a LaMelo Ball in record mode: 50 points!
Building on their momentum from the day before, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks took Charles Lee's players by the throat to lead 11-3 then 15-8. Giannis is simply perfect (5 out of 5 on shots in the first quarter), but after a very good pass from Brandon Miller, it is Tidjane Salaün who gives the Hornets the lead (18-17). Giannis also responds with 3-points, and after twelve minutes, the two teams are tied (28-28).
After a tap from Brook Lopez, Damian Lillard takes the match for himself (37-30). The former leader of the Blazers combines much better with Giannis and his teammates, and the Bucks maintain this gap despite a new 3-pointer from Salaun (45-37).
But on the Charlotte side, a player is starting to heat up and it’s LaMelo Ball. After his 35 points the day before, he followed up with a floater and long shots, and the gap melted (51-47). Brandon Miller supports him, and the Bucks rely on Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. to regain a small gap before the break (59-51).
From +20 to…+2!
After returning from the locker room, the “Ball Show” continues. The All-Star point guard plants 10 points in five minutes, and the Hornets stay in touch. His duel with Giannis reached new heights, and for four minutes, only Ball and Antetokounmpo scored points (84-80)! Moment chosen by the Bucks shooters to catch fire. Trent and the Green-Portis duo sign a 4 out of 4 from distance to finally make the break: 96-83.
Lillard then AJ Green insisted, and the gap reached 20 points (112-92) six minutes from the end. The Bucks are holding the right end. Except that opposite, Ball is untenable! Passing or shooting, he is everywhere, and he and Brandon Miller first sign a 9-0 to put Charlotte back in the game. But the two Hornets are untenable, and like Thursday against the Pistons, they find themselves with their eyes closed.
Result: one minute from the end, Ball brings the Hornets to -4, then Miller, at 3 points, air-conditions the room 15 seconds from the siren. The Bucks only lead 121-119… Despite the efforts of Moussa Diabaté on the rebound, Ball then Miller misses 3-pointers to return to one unit, and it is Taurean Prince then Giannis who validate the victory for the Bucks (125- 119).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Giannis-Lillard tandem is getting better and better. Clearly, it's day and night for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. We see them talking more, and each seeks to highlight the other. They combined 63 points without cutting themselves off from their teammates, as in the 3rd quarter in which Giannis distributed 7 assists.
– Milwaukee breathes better. Fourth victory in a row for the Bucks, and the 6th in seven matches. While Khris Middleton is expected next week, Doc Rivers' message finally seems to be getting through. We will remember the defensive impact of Brook Lopez, once again becoming the intimidator he was. Moussa Diabaté tasted his pancake recipe…
– Brandon Miller confirms. Even more than LaMelo Ball's 50 points (6 out of… 17 from 3-point range!), we will remember Brandon Miller's 32 points. The number 2 in the 2024 Draft has just scored 70 points in two matches, and his fluidity and ease in the game are truly impressive.
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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.
