The Milwaukee Bucks finished a home-and-home series against the Charlotte Hornets 111-99 on Thursday night, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Bobby Portis finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Malik Beasley added 19 points and nailed five 3-pointers. The Bucks had their first four-game winning run under head coach Doc Rivers, shooting 16 of 39 from beyond the arc.
After outscoring the Hornets by 38, 36, and 31 points in their previous three games, the Bucks crushed them this season by an average of 29.2 points, the biggest margin in team history. Though not very close, this game was closer.
Rivers described the matchup with the Hornets, three of whom arrived after his hiring, as “veterans versus young players.” “It’s clear that (Hornets coach) Steve Clifford is a fantastic coach, but he also has a group of young players who are picking up winning basketball skills. And LaMelo Ball, one of his top players, is injured.
Milwaukee had a 19-point advantage at the half after shooting 55% in the first half, including 9 of 18 from 3-point range. However, they faced significant opposition in the second half.
During their four-game winning streak, the Bucks have moved the ball incredibly well, putting emphasis on extra passes to make decent shots into terrific ones.
That is a reflection of Rivers’ leadership, according to Portis.
“Doctor, shout,” Portis exclaimed. It helps you take greater ownership of your role to have a person who can sit down with every player and explain them exactly what’s expected of them. Additionally, I believe that when you move the ball, play freely, drive, and kick, it finds energy. When the ball finds the appropriate individual, everyone simply lines up and shoots.
Miles Bridges contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Brandon Miller scored 21 points to lead the Hornets.
Early on, it appeared as though Tuesday night’s game would be a rerun, with the Bucks holding the Hornets to just 26 points in the first half on their way to a 123-85 victory in Milwaukee.
With a driving dunk by Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee moved out to an early 10-2 lead.
After Thanasis Antetokounmpo was called for a technical foul on the bench for disputing a non-foul call against his younger brother Giannis, the Hornets managed to briefly retake the lead in the first quarter. Following a flurry for the ball beneath the hoop involving his brother, Charlotte’s Bridges, and Grant Williams, Thanasis Antetokounmpo yelled at officials. Eventually, Giannis Antetokounmpo recovered the loose ball and scored through the glass.
However, the Hornets were unable to maintain their lead as the Bucks, led by Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who finished with 17 points, ended the first half with a 24–10 run.
Clifford wasn’t that pleased with the defence on his team.
Clifford remarked, “We gave up drives where we just had the wrong angles, stances, and no help.” “Guys shouldn’t be passing us by the way they did.”
The Bucks are performing at a “high clip,” according to Miller, who also stated, “Of course it’s a great team; I think they’re getting ready for the playoffs.”
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For the second game in a row, Thanasis Antetokounmpo got a technical foul from the bench!
Doc Rivers’ reaction says it all!
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