Home Entertainment No Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to create a HELPLESS performance with 17 points in the Bucks’ loss to the Timberwolves

No Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to create a HELPLESS performance with 17 points in the Bucks’ loss to the Timberwolves

Entertainment — 02/09/2024

Any thought that the Timberwolves could lose three straight after blowing a 23-point lead in Chicago on Tuesday with road games against the Bucks and Clippers on deck can file those brainwaves away because they obliterated the Bucks 129-105 in Milwaukee on Thursday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo only had 17 points, 3 Rebounds and 7 assists.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) passes over Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first half of their game Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The player has the best performance for the Bucks was Jae Crowder with 21 points, 8 Rebounds and 5 assists

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards had 26 points and nine assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves shot 21 of 41 from 3-point range to trounce the slumping Milwaukee Bucks 129-105 on Thursday night.

Timberwolves obliterate Lillard-less Bucks in Milwaukee - Sports Illustrated Minnesota Timberwolves News, Analysis and More

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points, Mike Conley added 18, Naz Reid 17 and Rudy Gobert 16 as the Timberwolves spoiled the home debut of new Bucks coach Doc Rivers, whose No. 31 Marquette jersey hangs from the Fiserv Forum rafters.

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is shown during the first half of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Rivers opened his Milwaukee coaching tenure with a five-game trip during which the Bucks went 1-4.

The Bucks were operating at far less than full strength.

Damian Lillard missed a second straight game and Khris Middleton also was out because of their sprained ankles, though Brook Lopez returned after missing three games as his wife gave birth to their child.

Both teams had short benches after making deals before Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Bucks sent Cam Payne and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Patrick Beverley, while Minnesota dealt Troy Brown, Shake Milton and a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Monte Morris. Neither Beverley nor Morris was available for Thursday night’s game.

Without Lillard or Payne, the Bucks had no pure point guards.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sprints to the basket during the first half of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) misses a three-point shot over Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half of their game Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

With the game out of reach late in the third quarter, the Bucks also opted to rest Giannis Antetokounmpo for the last 16 minutes to give him as much rest as possible before they play again on Friday.

A.J. Green scored a career-high 27 points for the Bucks while shooting 7 of 8 from 3-point range.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of their game Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Minnesota held Giannis Antetokounmpo to 17 points, just the sixth time this season he’s been held under 20 points and well under his season average of 31.8 points per game.

With ten minutes remaining in the second quarter, Minnesota took a commanding lead, leading 63-53 at the break.

Late in the third quarter, Reid completed a 17-3 run for the Timberwolves, extending their lead to 91-64. Reid also drew a foul for a three-point play. In the end, the Timberwolves had a 28-point advantage.