Between bucks undefeated since the start of the season and wolves in break-in, the logic was respected. Milwaukee quickly got their hands on the game thanks to a particularly aggressive Jrue Holiday.
The leader, who finished the game with 29 points at 12/24 shooting, even offered a 22-point lead (86-64) to his team in the third quarter. What trigger a reaction from Minnesota, which picks up to 8 points (97-89) at the start of the fourth quarter. We then say to ourselves that the Wolves are in the process of reversing the “momentum” but Giannis Antetokounmpo, even if he had more difficulty than usual to finish in the circle (7/17) or free throws (10/ 20), did what was necessary to keep his team in front, helped by the awkwardness of Wolves.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The 3-point difference. Wolves weren’t that far behind, and their ball circulation was better than in recent games. Returned to 8 points in the last quarter, they could dream of the heist… if they hadn’t missed so many 3-point shots. They only made 2/14 from a distance in the last quarter, and 11/41 in total (27% success). Especially since for their part, the Bucks end up at a very nice 17/38 (45%).
– A hell of a job for the KAT/Gobert duo. To tell the truth, there was a little improvement in this match but there is still a lot of work before the Karl-Anthony Towns – Rudy Gobert tandem is really effective on the offensive level. When they are together on the field, the two men do not necessarily step on each other’s toes, but their respective positions, and the possibilities that this offers to the defense, do not really allow them to exploit their qualities. It was when one or the other was on the bench that we found real fluidity in the attacking game. Another +15 for the Bucks on all the phases in which they have been associated.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jrue Holiday. Another ultra solid performance, on both sides of the floor. The point guard finished with 29 points at 12/24 shooting, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, with no stray balls.
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” was doubtful for the match following knee pain. We felt he was embarrassed, when he had more difficulty imposing himself on the circle than usual, and he suffered on the free throw line. But he still finished with a big triple-double with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, and he made the actions that mattered in the “money-time” to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
✅ Bobby Portis. A new sacred site off the bench for the 6th man of the Bucks. 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and important baskets to break the rhythm of Wolves.
⛔ D’Angelo Russell. He was completely eaten by Jrue Holiday. 9 points at 3/15 shooting, 4 assists for 3 ball losses. His starting place is downright in danger given his current level of play…
THE BEST START IN THEIR HISTORY FOR THE BUCKS
The Bucks had already started with 7 consecutive victories in 1971/72 then in 2018/19 but this is the first time in their history that they have started their season with 8 successes in a row.
THE FOLLOWING
– Milwaukee (8-0): reception of the Thunder, the next night (01:00)
– Minnesota (4-5): Rockets reception, also next night (01:00)
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