Fourth defeat in a row for the Bucks, and this time, the “Big Three” was indeed present in between. The return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, spared against the Raptors, changes nothing, and Milwaukee loses 122-109 after a stunning second half! Once again, Jalen Brunson has caused misery for the Bucks…
Everything started well for the Bucks with a very aggressive Giannis against OG Anunoby or on the offensive rebound. Doc Rivers asked his players to run, and the “Greek Freak” leads by example. At his side, Damian Lillard fuels the score with free throws, and Milwaukee signs a first break (23-14). On the New York side, Brunson is already hot, and he is making his bodyguard Khris Middleton dizzy. After twelve minutes, the Bucks are in front (31-25) with a final basket at the buzzer from Bobby Portis.
The rest is the same with an untenable Giannis, and the Knicks who are multiplying avenues to respond to him. It's Bojan Bogdanovic who comes out of his box to help Brunson (40-35), but the Bucks bring rhythm and defense, and Malik Beasley takes care of planting from afar (48-38). The gap changed little until this twist of fate: the exit, with a bloody mouth, of Khris Middleton, victim of a big headline on the rebound. Brunson immediately has more freedom, and the Knicks take advantage of this to pick up the score (53-50). But a final effort from Brook Lopez gives the score an 11-point lead at halftime (61-50).
DiVincenzo hurts a lot
Returning from the locker room, no Khris Middleton, and the Knicks took the opportunity to go… 20-6! In six minutes, the match changed, and the Knicks took control thanks to Isaiah Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo. Doc Rivers sends Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis to coal, and the Bucks come to their senses. But Brunson is untenable. He punctuates the 3rd quarter with a “floater” at the last second, then the Knicks follow up with a 10-0 to attack the last quarter.
Thanks to the Bogdanovic-McBride duo, New York escapes (99-87). DiVincenzo drives home the 3-pointer and hurts his former teammates. Portis and Lopez respond from afar, but DiVincenzo definitively knocks out the Bucks at the start of money time. The Knicks have taken a 16-point lead, and they are heading towards an essential victory in the race for… 2nd place!
What you must remember
Bad luck for Middleton. Khris Middleton has been making frequent trips to the infirmary for two years now. This time, he lost a tooth in a collision with Donte DiVincenzo, and he took Isaiah Hartenstein on the back when he was on the ground!
Milwaukee in distress. Fourth defeat in a row for the Bucks, and it is their longest series of the season. With four games remaining, Giannis' teammates are only one victory ahead of the Magic and the Knicks, and they can fall to 6th place! Maybe that's what they're looking for…
Brunson loves the Bucks. Author of 43 points last night, Jalen Brunson is the beast of the Bucks since this season, he averages 37.2 points in five matches against them. The Lillard-Beasley pair must have nightmares.
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.
