Both present in the Top 4 of the Eastern Conference, the bucks and the Riders had an appointment this night in a poster that was attractive to say the least. And this one kept its promises for half time, before Brook Lopez (29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks), Giannis Antetokounmpo (16 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) and others do not press the accelerator after returning from the locker room.
At the arrival, Milwaukee therefore wins quite quietly (113-98), so as to consolidate its place as runner-up to the Celtics, while inflicting a fifth defeat in a row to the Cleveland of Donovan Mitchell (23 marks) and Darius Garland (23 points, 8 assists).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— A pivotal third quarter. Largely dominating, over the twelve minutes that followed halftime (34-18), the Bucks built their success at this precise moment. In the wake of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, they quickly took the Cavs by the throat, with a 13-0, to take a comfortable lead, which will climb to +20 and which will not be reduced thereafter, because the bench of Milwaukee hasn’t faltered either. Suffocated offensively and overwhelmed defensively, teammates Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland lost their footing at the wrong time, measuring the progress they still have to make.
— Giannis Antetokounmpo well contained, Brook Lopez assures. Between them, Evan Mobley and especially Lamar Stevens did a very good defensive job of limiting the “Greek Freak” to 6/18 on shots (including 0/2 at 3-pts) and his lowest points total in the league. season. Without Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade, injured, it was therefore essential that the Mobley / Stevens duo respond to this night. Only, it was also necessary to make sure not to be struck by lightning by the incandescent Brook Lopez who, thanks to his quality of shooting (7/9 from afar!), was able to perfectly compensate for the (relative) discretion of the double MVP.
— First doubts for Cleveland. Authors of a cannon start to the season (8-1), the Cavaliers have since begun to fall into line, they who have conceded their fifth defeat in a row. The good news is that the troop of JB Bickerstaff will now play four games at home, in order to recover their health.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jordan Nwora. If Jevon Carter, Bobby Portis, George Hill or Serge Ibaka also proved valuable today, on the Bucks side, we prefer to highlight the very good contribution of Nwora off the bench: 21 points, 6/10 on shots, including 5 /9 to 3-pts. Like Brook Lopez, he started this meeting with a bang, scoring 10 points in the first quarter alone, to allow Milwaukee to stay in touch with Cleveland. The 24-year-old winger then continued to have a positive influence on his team’s attack, at (almost) every time he came into play. A real spark, then.
✅ Evan Mobley. In addition to his good defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo in sequences, the interior of the Cavaliers also showed good things in attack. Well served by his exteriors, which has not always been the case this season, he was able to score 20 points (9/14 on shots), thanks to several easy baskets near the circle, a nice touch and l ‘aggressiveness. Nevertheless, we can still regret that the 3rd choice of the 2021 Draft could not secure more than that the defensive rebound of his team…
⛔ Caris LeVert. The performances of the rear of the Cavaliers are more and more difficult to see and that of this night is undoubtedly one of his worst of the season. Author of 2 small points in 20 minutes, 1/5 on shots (including 0/2 at 3-pts), he fails to create differences or simply be useful to his team, with or without the ball. However, without Jarrett Allen and against an opponent as armed as the Bucks, the Donovan Mitchells, Darius Garland and other Evan Mobleys badly need the contribution of Caris LeVert, to hope for something…
⛔ Mar Jon Beauchamp. Like any self-respecting rookie, the 22-year-old full-back/winger yo-yos offensively. After scoring 19, 8 and then 20 points, he is thus limited to only 2 points in 27 minutes, and 1/8 on shots (including 0/3 at 3-pts). Always present in the five of Mike Budenholzer, in the absence of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton or Wes Matthews, the 24th choice of the last Draft has therefore never managed to find his rhythm in attack. But Jevon Carter, Jordan Nwora, George Hill and especially Brook Lopez were there to make people forget their evening without.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (11-3) : trip to Philadelphia, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:30).
Cleveland (8-6) : reception of Charlotte, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:30).
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