The Milwaukee Bucks held on, 112-110, to take down the Hawks in Atlanta despite a second-half surge that saw the home team take the lead late after the visitors led by 23 midway through the third period. Giannis Antetokounmpo provided a team-high 21 points and 17 rebounds to go with six assists. Five other Bucks scored in double figures, including Bobby Portis with 19 off the bench.
But the modest contributions of another big, two-way player Pete Nance, also deserve recognition in his first real minutes this season. Finally granted a shot, Nance made sure the Bucks didn’t regret it.
Nance shines as Jericho Sims substitute
Nance’s entrance in the first quarter was quite a surprise. So far this season, he has only ever appeared in garbage time, but Doc Rivers went to him early in Atlanta and Nance did not disappoint. In 15 minutes, the former Tar Heel went 2-3 from the field for five points, four boards, two assists and two steals, accounting for a +13 in the box score trailing only AJ Green’s +14.
Although those numbers may not seem like much, using Nance to round out the rotation, while providing size and range, made a noticeable impact. Typically, the Bucks have used Sims as their extra big but he has fallen out of favor of late due to his lack of offensive ability and proclivity for setting illegal screens.
Replacing him with Nance was a win for Rivers and the Bucks. After the audition in Atlanta, it would be a surprise if Nance does not remain in that role for the time being.
Milwaukee improves to 18-24 with the win, while the Hawks drop to 20-25 in their fourth straight defeat. The matchup was a significant one for the play-in standings in the East. In the aftermath, Atlanta holds just a half-game edge on the Bucks for the final spot. Milwaukee sits five back of the 76ers (23-18) in the six-seed, the last slot outside the play-in field.
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