After a humiliating 41-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, a good blowout of the Utah Jazz at home was just what the doctor ordered. The Milwaukee Bucks were in control the entire time of their 123-97 win over Utah. Playing without Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was a total team effort that saw splendid performances from a variety of players.
Before I get into the “studs” for the Bucks’ win over the Jazz, I want to highlight two players who I am not going to list as such. It is not because they played poorly; rather other players filled up the stat sheet more. That being said…
- Sandro Mamukelashvili was an absolute blast to watch last night! Recently, so INSANE highlight videos of him playing with the Wisconsin Herd have been making the rounds on social media. Videos like this one:
Still thinking about this Sandro Mamukelashvili assist. No look dime in transition!!! Ridiculous stuff.pic.twitter.com/m3GAHI4W0z
— Ben Sigwart (@sig_50) December 17, 2022
In 23 minutes of play against the Jazz, Mamu only had three points (1-2 shooting, 1-1 from three), but had eight rebounds and six assists. He also had a game best +/- of +26.
- Brook Lopez should be the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He had three more blocks against the Jazz and is still leading the league with 2.8 blocks per game. In addition, Lopez had 18 points and eight rebounds.
Brook Lopez is a blocking machine 🚫pic.twitter.com/ZsarsbymP1
— Bucks Nation (@BucksNationCP) December 18, 2022
Three Studs
Bobby Portis
Starting for Giannis who was out with knee soreness, Bobby Portis put on a show early for Bucks fans at Fiserv Forum. He scored 15 points in the first quarter alone, and ended the night with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and an assist. Portis was 9-16 from the floor (2-5 from three) and 2-2 from the free throw line.
Bobby got the start tonight & made the most of it.
22 PTS | 14 REB | 56% FG pic.twitter.com/pudM8JnqWk
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2022
Jrue Holiday
Middleton and Giannis may have sat out, but the Bucks got a boost by getting Jrue Holiday back from the illness that had kept him sidelined for the last few games. Holiday was his usual dominant self, scoring 21 points on 9-16 (3-6 from three) shooting. He also had four rebounds, eight assists, and a steal. Early in the third quarter, Holiday reached 14,000 points for his career.
Do your thing, 21.
21 PTS | 4 REB | 8 AST pic.twitter.com/gyjcYuUFQu
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2022
MarJon Beauchamp
The Bucks’ first round draft pick got 19 minutes of playing time and made the most of every last second. MarJon Beauchamp scored 18 points on 5-9 shooting (4-7 from three) and went 4-4 at the free throw line. He also added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
18 points in 19 minutes for the Rookie.
18 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST pic.twitter.com/ZWchXY9v8o
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2022
Three Duds
I feel like I am getting too lazy in wins by saying “No duds” because of such complete games. So I will get very nitpicky with these.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Three minutes of playing time and not a single personal foul? C’mon man…
Jordan Nwora
It appears that Jordan Nwora has lost his playing time to rookie MarJon Beauchamp. Nwora received four minutes of playing time against the Jazz during garbage time. Yikes.
AJ Green
Four minutes of playing time and two personal fouls? He could have let Thanasis have at least one!
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