“ The 'monster' wasn't there, the guys had to get more involved in their role. » Bobby Portis of course refers here to the absence of the “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, against the Clippers. Also deprived of Khris Middleton, the other Bucks had to compensate to get by.
“ We needed another scorer and it was Bobby “, notes Doc Rivers, whose first option of the evening, Damian Lillard, responded perfectly. The former Blazers leader scored 41 points (12/22 on shots). “ Nobody talked about who wasn't playing before the game. Doc didn't come in and say, 'All right, Giannis's not here, Khris's not here.' », Reports the latter, who was therefore perfectly supported by his interior.
Bobby Portis scored 14 of his 28 points (12/18 on shots) in the fourth quarter and finished with a personal best this season of 16 rebounds. Mobilized for 30 minutes coming off the bench, he became the first substitute this year to compile at least 25 points and 15 rebounds.
The strong winger was decisive in this final period, largely won by the locals (40-25), on the basis of a 15-0 inflicted. “ Playing him in the post tonight was huge for us, because they were going to play small and we wanted to play big », remarks the Doc, in reference to several “hooks” from his interior, notably in front of Kawhi Leonard, in the finale.
He fed on Patrick Beverley
“ We have this joke with Bobby because he rushes sometimes. We always say that (his defender) is not going to grow. The guy was 2m04 when you were served, if you wait three more seconds he'll still be 2m04. Take your time. And he's starting to do it, it's a good thing to see », continues his coach, when the person concerned simply says playing his “ pace ”, without feeling like you’re rushing.
One thing is certain: “ I never hesitate to shoot, I like to shoot (smile). Scoring is one of my strong points […]. I feel like it was one of those times where I had to be a little more aggressive than I probably was before. » Which he has done particularly well since the All-Star game. His average has climbed to 17.5 points (53.7% including 38.1% from distance) since this break, compared to barely 13 points previously, with equal playing time (24 minutes).
This night, Portis also fed off one of his recently arrived teammates, Patrick Beverley (12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals). “ I've always been the guy that brings energy to the team, passion… whatever you want to call it. But it's always good for me to have another guy who is like me on the floor, because he thrills me “, he says, when their coach adds: “ It's hilarious sometimes, they both have so much energy in them. Tonight they fed off each other. We need guys like that. »
| Bobby Portis | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | CHI | 62 | 18 | 42.7 | 30.8 | 72.7 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 5.4 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 7.0 |
| 2016-17 | CHI | 64 | 16 | 48.8 | 33.3 | 66.1 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 6.8 |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 73 | 23 | 47.1 | 35.9 | 76.9 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 6.8 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 13.2 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 50 | 26 | 44.4 | 39.3 | 79.4 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 14.2 |
| 2018-19 * | W.A.S. | 28 | 27 | 44.0 | 40.3 | 80.9 | 2.3 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 14.3 |
| 2018-19 * | CHI | 22 | 24 | 45.0 | 37.5 | 78.0 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 14.1 |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 66 | 21 | 45.0 | 35.8 | 76.3 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 10.1 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 66 | 21 | 52.3 | 47.1 | 74.0 | 1.9 | 5.2 | 7.1 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 11.4 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 72 | 28 | 47.9 | 39.3 | 75.2 | 2.5 | 6.6 | 9.1 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 14.6 |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 70 | 26 | 49.6 | 37.0 | 76.8 | 2.2 | 7.4 | 9.6 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 61 | 24 | 49.5 | 38.0 | 78.2 | 1.7 | 5.3 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 12.9 |
| Total | 584 | 23 | 47.6 | 38.1 | 75.8 | 1.9 | 5.1 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 11.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
