Giannis End Skid With 118-113 Win Over The Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from a two-game losing streak, securing a 118-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Giannis Antetkounmpo was the standout player, delivering a dominant performance with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. His efforts helped the Bucks improve to 10 wins in their last 13 games.

Key Performances in the Win

Giannis Antetkounmpo was the driving force for Milwaukee, notching his NBA-leading 14th game with 30 or more points. This game also marked the end of Damian Lillard’s impressive streak of six consecutive games with 25+ points. Although Lillard didn’t hit his scoring mark, his playmaking was crucial in orchestrating the offense. Bobby Portis provided a spark off the bench, stepping up with 23 points, while Khris Middleton, returning from ankle surgery, added seven key points in the fourth quarter. In addition, Damian Lillard contributed 15 points and 11 assists, while Portis came off the bench to add 23 points and five rebounds. Despite their strong performances, the Nets struggled in the final minutes, marking their fourth loss in five games. Brooklyn’s defense couldn’t contain the Bucks’ late-game surge, and they fell to 4-13 against Eastern Conference teams this season.

For Brooklyn, Dennis Schroder had an outstanding game, scoring 34 points and recording 10 assists. It was his third 30+ point performance of the season, and he has been averaging 31.5 points per game against Milwaukee this year. Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton also contributed significantly, scoring 26 and 21 points, respectively.

Game’s Turning Point

With 3:08 left in the game, Brooklyn led 108-104 after a clutch jumper from Schroder. However, Milwaukee responded with a 15-5 run to close the game. Bobby Portis delivered a pivotal 3-pointer at the 2:08 mark, giving the Bucks a 109-108 lead that they would not relinquish. Khris Middleton’s scoring in the final quarter helped seal the win for Milwaukee.

Breaking Bucks’ Defensive Streak

Brooklyn’s offense found its rhythm in the second half after struggling in the first quarter. The Nets shot just 36.4% in the opening period but recovered to shoot 56% over the final 36 minutes of play. This performance ended the Bucks’ remarkable 15-game streak of holding opponents to under 50% shooting. Despite the high shooting percentage, Milwaukee still managed to come out on top. They now hold a 1-3 record in games where they allow an opponent to shoot better than 50%.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the Bucks will host Orlando in an NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday. For Brooklyn, they will travel to Memphis on Friday, hoping to rebound from this tough loss. In conclusion, the Bucks’ victory over the Nets was a crucial one to end their losing streak. Giannis and Portis’ strong performances, along with timely contributions from Lillard and Middleton, powered Milwaukee to the win, despite Brooklyn’s scoring efforts.