It’s time for your Bucks Review!
The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves have had their own differing paths during this very different 2020-21 season thus far. From the Bucks’ POV, they have experienced a season that has not quite lived up to their lofty standards of the last two seasons. At 18-13 coming into Tuesday off of back-to-back victories, they looked for another win against their 7-24 neighbors to the West.
The T-Wolves, though, are in a much different spot. With little expectations coming into the new campaign, Minnesota has struggled to their aforementioned record, and took a big step into a brand new future prior to this game by firing head coach Ryan Saunders. In his place is Chris Finch, by way of the Toronto Raptors and Nick Nurse’s coaching tree. In their eyes, what better way to start this brand new era than with a huge win against one of the league’s premier teams?
First Half
In the first quarter, it was all going (relatively) according to plan for Minnesota. They used more of a “pace and space” offense that Finch is known for from his time in Houston. This carved the Bucks apart from downtown, as Minnesota shot 6/9 in the period. On the other side of the court, Milwaukee took advantage of a strong start by Antetokounmpo, who continued his aggressive play as of late. Bobby Portis (last six points of the quarter) and Donte DiVincenzo added similar starts to give the Bucks an early lead
The second quarter, on the other hand, was much more like what Bucks fans expected from this one. For starters, Giannis took the opportunity to use a couple of possessions to make Karl-Anthony Towns consider going into the Witness Protection Program with a pair of posters. Second, the Wolves shot just 3/13 from three in the second quarter. The Bucks responded in kind by going 4/6 from three in the last 4:26 of the quarter to take a commanding 17-point lead into the break.
Halftime numbers
- MIL
- FG %: 62.5
- 3P %: 55.5
- Offensive rating: 146.3
- Defensive rating: 115.1
- MIN
- FG %: 51.0
- 3P %: 40.9
- Offensive rating: 115.1
- Defensive rating: 146.3
Second Half
The third quarter, was very similar to the latter stages of the first half, as they continued to shoot at a high clip from three (8/14) with Bryn Forbes leading the way at 4/6. Giannis completed yet another milestone in this quarter as well, passing Bob Dandridge for 5th on the all-time Bucks scoring list with a two-handed slam.
Karl-Anthony Towns continued to wreak a little bit of havoc, pulling down offensive boards getting to the free-throw line. All told, the Bucks would essentially put the game away in this period, although the Wolves did make things interesting in the fourth.
When it comes to the final period, let me just say that I would like this to be the start of a movement to make Bryn Forbes the star of any future American Sniper sequel or remake, that is all.
Well, did you all enjoy that win? I sure did, and I hope you enjoyed this Bucks Review and will check out the next one, along with our other content, on Wisconsin Sports Heroics!
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Top Performers
MIL
G. Antetokounmpo: 37p/8r/8a/2s/2b, 13/18 FG, 10/13 FT
B. Forbes: 23p/4r/3a, 8/13 FG, 5/9 FT (season-high in points)
B. Portis: 14p/6r/2a/2b/2s, 6/11 FG, 2/4 3P
MIN
K. Towns: 26p/8r/11a/1s, 10/19 FG, 5/5 FT
M. Beasley: 26p/1r/4a/1s, 10/16 FG, 6-for-9 3P
R. Rubio: 12p/4r/4a, 4/8 FG, 2/4 3P
