The Milwaukee Bucks have not had a record regular season as in his previous campaigns. For the first time in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s last years as NBA MVP, the Wisconsin they reach the final leg of the course as background favorites, and that condition seems to play in their favor.
On a calendar full of mines, the Bucks are sticking their chests out when it matters most. Last night they beat the almighty Brooklyn Nets for the second consecutive game by 124-118 and they sealed their pass to the playoffs, at the moment from the third place.
“I am happy for the show that we have given to the hobby and work on good manners in these games, but that’s all ”, declared a Antetokounmpo who led the contest with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (11-30 TC; 4-12 3P).
“These games don’t mean anything. When we are in the playoffs, nobody will remember them “, warns the Greek, aware of the latest disappointments in the final phase of the competition. In the last month of the regular season, the Bucks have beaten the East leaders two games, the Philadelphia 76ers, and their closest pursuers, some Nets who they are not the same without James Harden on the track.
Brooklyn’s record with ‘La Barba’ has been 27 wins and 7 losses, but with him in the band injured have fallen to a poor balance of 9-10.
As a result, the classification in the summit of the East it’s tight on this fast-paced end of course. The Sixers (44-21) are a game and a half ahead of the Nets (43-23), who are another game and a half ahead of the Bucks (41-24) despite two consecutive losses against their rival direct.
Milwaukee doesn’t launch rockets despite his end-of-year successes. The last two courses were the best record in the NBA and then fell with a crash in the Conference Finals (2019) and Semifinals (2020). They do observe with satisfaction the positive trend of the group.
“It is important to play well now that the end is near”, was limited to granting Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks rallied from a double-digit lead in the second half against the Nets and were down 97-103 with 10 minutes remaining.
The response was overwhelming: a partial of 18-1 He turned the tables and prevented Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving from taking the cat into the water. “You have to give them credit, they found a good rhythm in the fourth quarter, they scored and made good plays”, KD valued on the merit of the rival.
Durant, with 32 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, contributed to the Nets’ stellar effort, accompanied by the 38 Irving points. Joe Harris, with 12 points, and Jeff Green, with 10, supported their leaders. Former CSKA Mike James, with 10 points and 3 assists in 10 minutes, he celebrated his 10-day extension with Brooklyn.
Milwaukee shared a little more its contribution to the collective success with 23 points for Jrue Holiday, who added 10 assists, and Khris Middleton, who added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Donte DiVincenzo, with 10 points and 15 rebounds, his career best, he also contributed important minutes as a starter.
The bench received the essential contribution of Bryn forbes, author of 14 points (4-7 3P) and the highest rated player (+20) of the match.
It’s just the regular season, but Milwaukee seems to have tuned the pieces to get in tune in a playoffs that promise very even in both conferences.
There are 15 days left for the machinery of the final phase to start and almost everything is yet to be decided in the NBA.