Package for this back to back, because hit in the knee, Giannis Antetokounmpo probably had to appreciate what he saw from his teammates last night, in his absence. Indeed, led in particular by Brook Lopez (25 points), Bobby Portis (12 points, 21 rebounds), Grayson Allen (19 points) or Jevon Carter (18 points), the bucks provided the essentials and did the job against the Thunder (108-94).
Thus, propelled by their very good second quarter, Mike Budenholzer’s players also won their ninth victory of the season, in nine games. It’s that we almost forget that they still play without Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton or even Joe Ingles…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— A boost was enough. If the Bucks won by ten points, having been in the lead throughout the second period, it was mainly thanks to their authoritarian and controlled second quarter, where they inflicted a 33-19 on the Thunder. Boosted by Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen or even Jordan Nwora, the players from Wisconsin did not go overboard and knocked out their opponents on each side of the floor. Collectively, they were just a step above, if not several, and Mark Daigneault’s men never knew how to pick up afterwards.
— Milwaukee, received 9/9. Even deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, we can’t stop these Bucks, still undefeated this season and now at 9-0. For the little anecdote, note that this is only the 21st time in history that a team has started a campaign with nine consecutive victories and this had not been seen in the league since the Warriors, in 2015/16 : 24-0 to start the exercise, the record all time. Suffice to say that Mike Budenholzer’s men still have plenty to see ahead, before thinking of dethroning them…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Portis/Lopez pair. Dominating the rebound (55 to 38, including 18 offensive), the Bucks made a construction site in the racket, thanks to Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez. Complementary, they walked on the interiors of the Thunder, unable to oppose their hardness to recover balls or to defend correctly on them and their ability to draw from afar. A real carnage, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was not even present to also join the party…
✅ The Allen/Carter duo. The Bucks snipers made a strong impression last night, combining together a very nice 10/15 at 3-pts (for 37 points). Used off the bench, after starting the first eight games of his team, Grayson Allen especially blazed in the first half, as soon as he came into play, to put Milwaukee on track. As for Jevon Carter, we saw him stand out in the third quarter, to allow the Bucks not to let the Thunder come back to score. A tandem of fire.
✅ Ousmane Dieng. Surprisingly, it was the Frenchman who was the most prominent on the Thunder side, in this collective rout. Over his 22 minutes of playing time, he contributed in all areas (8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), demonstrated success in shooting (3/4 in shots, including 2/2 at 3-pts) and offered good things in defense, in sequences. Proof of his positive influence on OKC, the 11th choice of the last Draft also finished with the best +/- of his team: +11.
⛔ The end of OKC’s first half. Still in contact four and a half minutes from the break (50-47), the Thunder then sank due to their clumsiness (33%, including 29% at 3-pts in this quarter) and their inability to avoid fouls or prevent the Bucks from going to the free throw line. Not helped either by their few ball losses and by the impact of Serge Ibaka, Grayson Allen or Jordan Nwora, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates lost the game at this precise moment, synonymous with a 17-6 run for Milwaukee .
⛔ Marjon Beauchamp. Obviously, the Bucks rookie will not soon forget the first tenure of his young career. On the other hand, his performance will not be remembered because, despite all his good will, he ended the game being excluded for six faults, with only 2 points in 25 minutes. Never in the rhythm in attack (1/9 on shots, including 0/6 at 3-pts…) and much too naive in defense, the 24th choice of the last Draft simply missed everything he undertook this night . A match clearly to forget, therefore.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (9-0) : trip to Atlanta, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (02:15).
Oklahoma City (4-5) : trip to Detroit, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (01:30).
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