The defeat of Bucks At Oklahoma City was as predictable as the plans of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez for the same meeting. Why then? Because Milwaukee had played the day before, at home, against the Grizzlies.
The match plus the trip was too much for the troops of Doc Rivers, who preferred to do without his executives to offer them a little rest, so precious and so absent for two weeks for the Bucks.
“My instinct told me to send them directly to Charlotte”,, Slides the coach by talking about preserved playersS, before the match against the Hornets on Wednesday. “But it's not good, so I didn't do it. And I didn't want to waste the owners' money with a fine. »»
“24 hours more, it's huge. It's one more day, one more night ”
For two weeks and the match postponed to New Orleans, because of the snow, the Bucks spend their lives in planes or outside. It's even worse lately. On Tuesday 28, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his band played in Portland on Friday 31, they were in San Antonio, then back in Milwaukee on February 2, before leaving for Oklahoma City and a match the next day. Sacred trips, in just six days.
“They really have a rest there”continues Doc Rivers, who flew with his players for Charlotte at the end of the match. “The room will be open this Tuesday, but there will be no training. The guys will be able to take care. We will use this day as a day of rest. »»
By not playing on Monday evening, Giannis and Damian Lillard will have two days to blow before going back to combat against the Hornets. While we are approaching the 50 gamebar, it is not negligible.
“Physically, it weighs on guys. So 24 hours more, it's huge. It's one more day, one more night, ” confirms Pat Connaughton. “When you look at Middleton, who returns from injury, or lady, who plays at high level with his advanced age, these 24 more hours can be crucial. […] It was good to offer one more rest for these guys to put them in a good position for the match in Charlotte and for the last matches before the All-Star Game. »»
