The Milwaukee Bucks Win
The now (34-19) Milwaukee Bucks defeated the (10-41) Charlotte Hornets at home on Friday Night (120-84). It was the best defensive effort the Bucks have had all year.
Sure, it helped that Hornet star LaMelo Ball did not play. Still, Milwaukee took control early and played with a stronger sense of urgency.
The Bucks had an impressive defensive effort in the first half holding the Hornets to 38 points. Milwaukee led 66-38 at the intermission. This was the largest margin of victory Milwaukee has had all season. (36+/-)
The Bucks were 41-94 (43.6%) from the field. They ended the game with 54 team rebounds.
Milwaukee has three games remaining before the all-star break.
The Bucks play the Hornets again at the end of the month on a strange away-home back-to-back.
Here are the studs in the impressive victory.
Studs
Malik Beasley
Beasley had 15 points at halftime and had an awesome three to end the first half. Beasley caught the low pass from newly acquired Buck Patrick Beverly and nailed the shot. That gave Milwaukee some awesome momentum heading into the break.
Then to start the second half Beasley came out gunning. He knocked down a three, was fouled, and almost converted the four-point play.
Beasley ended the game with 21 points.
He was 7-9 from three.
Related: 2.9.24 Milwaukee Bucks vs Charlotte Hornets “Post-Trade Deadline” Game Preview
Bobby Portis
As the speculation of multiple trade targets, Portis played well tonight. He was 7-14 (50%) from the field and ended the game with 18 key bench points. Portis was the team’s second-leading rebounder behind Giannis.
Portis might be someone who benefits the most from the Pat Beverly trade. Now, Bobby just gets to be “Bobby” and does not have to feel like the “high-energy” guy every night.
He’ll be a key for this team off the bench moving forward. The Milwaukee Bucks will take production like tonight’s any night of the week.
Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers had a record of 1208-872 in the regular season and playoffs in his coaching career.
It really felt like, tonight, the identity of this team might be changing from a high-flying, at times out-of-control offensive-minded group to a high-intensity, high-energy defensive group.
Sure it is just one game. But if some of these reports are true Rivers and his approach are going to yield better results in the future as opposed to where this team was heading.
The Lone Dud: AJ Green
Green was 0-2 from three in the first half. He ended the game 1-9 from the field.
It’s hard to really pick out any “dud” here. It’s just that Green played for 18 minutes and ended with 3 points. Even Thanasis outscored him. He ended up with 4 points.
Other Notes from around the league
- Newly acquired 76er and former Buck Cam Payne played tonight. He started for the 76ers, played 36 minutes and had 20 points- a season high.
- Washington led at halftime against the Celtics. The Celtics played their “power five”. Jason Tatum took a ton of shots- 41 to be exact. The Celtics won by four at home.
- New Orleans was set to play the LA Lakers, a rematch of the “Western Conference” half of the NBA In-Season play-in tournament.
- What is up with the Bucks and the number 21? Well, Pat Beverly will now wear the number many Bucks fans want “retired” to honor Jrue Holiday.
Bucks letting Pat Bev or anybody wear 21 isn’t right. Should be off limits at least informally.
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) February 9, 2024
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