The Bucks returned to Brooklyn for the first time since Game 7 of the last playoffs, and they did it to add a victory that makes them come out very reinforced. The Wisconsin team took the duel 109-121, a score that is somewhat short compared to the difference that was seen on the track, in which Milwaukee was clearly superior and had several very bulky advantages. With this victory, Wisconsin tied with the Nets for second place in the East standings, which are still led by the Bulls with 2.5 games ahead of both.
The two teams entered the duel with absences in the base position, which made this clash between two candidates for the ring slightly decaffeinated. The New Yorkers, due to the fact of playing at home, could not count on Kyrie Irving, who still did not have the vaccine, while the visitors could not count on Jrue Holiday because he had to undergo security protocols.
His loss, however, was far from being a setback for his team, who led by Giannis Antetokounmpo offered a good image with which to compensate for the last two defeats. The Greek was in his usual numbers with 31 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, and his efficiency in attacking the paint and adding in it was once again a torment for Nash’s, who found no alternative. The power forward scored 64.7% of his shots, and led a starting five in which all men were in double digits.
Bobby Portis, with 25 points and 12 rebounds, was his best squire, with a performance in which he remembered why he has become a favorite of the Bucks fans. Although he started the clash failing a mate on the counterattack, the pivot did not take long to rebuild himself and begin to produce for his team until he finished second in scoring. Khris Middleton, at 20, was third thanks to his 5/9 triples, while Jordan Nwora and Wesley Matthews, who made up an unusual backcourt starter, they finished with 13 and 12 respectively.
At home, Kevin Durant was once again the leading scorer, reaching 29 points, reaching 10/19 in shooting and also contributing 9 rebounds and 7 assists. However, the forward could not prevent the Nets from being seen far behind during practically the entire second half, in which they lost by up to 24 points and in which, even with an attempt to rejoin the game at the beginning of the last quarter , they never had a choice. KD was notably underprivileged, prompting him to be asked about Irving’s situation late in the match.
“I have already told him how important it is for the team and how much I want him to play each game, but I am not going to force anyone to get vaccinated,” said the forward. That’s not something to do with me.
James Harden, who could not go beyond 16 points, did not help to forget the absence of the base, as did Patty Mills, who returned to the starting position and did it with one of his most misguided games of the season in which , with a 1/8 in the launch, he could not exceed 3 points. Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, with 14 each, did contribute a little more, but it was insufficient for the Brooklyn team to keep up with the reigning champions.
(Cover photo: Dustin Satloff / Getty Images)