Back to their winning ways. In a potential NBA Finals preview, the Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum, 111-104.
This one started with one word — defense. Both teams were clearly influenced by the other on the defensive end. Tipped passes, contested shots, and more added for a sluggish opening minutes between both teams. The Bucks would finally get a positive boost when George Hill came in, as he immediately connected on a pair of threes. His 10 points in the opening quarter helped grant Milwaukee a 23-17 lead moving into the second.
A landslide of a run would really start to separate the two teams, as Milwaukee opened the quarter on a 25-11 run. The Bucks would keep the separation throughout the period, with key contributions continuing from Hill and Wesley Matthews. When halftime rolled around, the Bucks commanded a 65-46 advantage.
The Bucks seemed a tad sleepy to begin the third, as Los Angeles used a small run to chisel away the Milwaukee lead to just 11 points. A strong push by the Lakers would tighten things up even more, as they closed out the third by slashing the Bucks’ lead to single digits, 89-81.
From there, the Bucks would take it into cruise control. Giannis would continue his rampage from deep, and it’d give the Bucks a well-earned cushion. The Lakers would make things close down the stretch, but ultimately didn’t have enough in the tank, providing the Bucks with a 111-104 win.
Stat That Stood Out
It’s truly incredible how far Giannis’ 3-point shot has come this season. We’re no stranger at the improvement, but tonight may have been the most confident his shot has looked all year. Spotting up from Menomonee Falls, stopping on a dime in transition — he was hitting from everywhere on the court. When it was all said and done, he racked up five threes on 5-of-8 shooting.