Milwaukee Bucks: “Possessions of Progress” for the team
Every offensive and defensive possession for the Milwaukee Bucks seems to have a renewed sense of purpose. Former Bucks and current broadcaster Marques Johnson spoke to this a little tonight during the game.
Man, the Bucks look good. It took a second but the Doc Rivers defense seems to be here and after only giving up 84 points in a win to Charlotte, and now 95 points to the reigning NBA Champions Denver Nuggets, things are looking good. This was a good win.
The now (35-19) Milwaukee Bucks defeated the now (36-18) Denver Nuggets at home Monday Night (112-95). It was an impressive team win. The Bucks and Nuggets split the season series 1-1.
Milwaukee is going to be a really difficult “out” in the playoffs, simply because they play so well at home.
Milwaukee plays Miami at home tomorrow night.
It’s a tough back-to-back but now having beaten Denver, even just a split feels good. If that is, in fact, what happens.
Throw it down, BP! pic.twitter.com/H1Hw0RWtUG
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 13, 2024
The Bucks were 42-84 (50%) from the field. They ended the game with 51 team rebounds.
Milwaukee has two games remaining before the all-star break.
Here are the studs in the impressive victory.
Studs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
What a solid game! With 36 points on 14-19 from the field, Giannis led all scores in this game. Jokic played well (29 points) but Giannis was the bigger star. In the NBA you just can not discount that. It is a game of stars. Giannis crushed it tonight.
He also had 18 rebounds, 3 steals, and only had two turnovers.
For the 29-year old the sky continues to be the limit.
Related: Bucks vs Nuggets Game Preview
Bobby Portis
As the speculation of multiple trade targets, Portis played well tonight. He was 6-14 (50%) from the field and ended the game with 13 key bench points. Portis was the team’s second-leading rebounder behind Giannis.
He also got tossed. He got two pretty dumb, but pretty entertaining, technical fouls. The first was for hanging on the rim. The second was for awkwardly tossing the basketball over his head.
Portis seems to be benefiting from the Pat Bev trade. Now he is paired with another high-energy guy.
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.
AJ Green
AJ Green had a nice performance scoring 9 points in 15 minutes of play. He was 3-5 from three.
He also played some nice defense and seems to be earning the trust of the new head coach. One would think that Green has been working hard in practice and Rivers is excited to reward him.
Random Doc Rivers Facts
- Rivers is 41st all-time in NBA history in steals (1,563)
- Rivers has made the playoffs, as a coach, in 21 out of 25 seasons.
- Rivers has coached 17 straight seasons with a winning record.
Other Notes from around the league
- The Spurs upset the Raptors tonight. Wemby went for 27. He also had 10 blocks. Yep, you read that right- 10 blocked shots! Wow!
- Wembanyama ended the game with a triple-double. 27 points, 14 rebounds and ten blocks.
- Charlotte upset the Pacers at home (111-102). Charlotte won two quick games after losing to the Bucks on Friday night.
- New 76er Buddy Hield scored 24 points in a victory over Cleveland. Darius Garland missed a game winner.
Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics! For all things Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
