Three Studs and Duds from Bucks Tough Loss to Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks dropped to 22-10 while the Brooklyn Nets improved to 21-12 on Friday night. For the Nets, it was their eighth-straight win as they continue an amazing resurgence without the fired Steve Nash. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has dropped their second game in a row on what is a long five-game road trip. It will not get any easier, either. The Bucks take on the Boston Celtics on Christmas before playing in Chicago on Wednesday. Before we look ahead to those games, though, let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the Friday night loss to the Nets.

Three Studs

Giannis Antetokounmpo

On what was an off-night for most of the Bucks in terms of shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo was very efficient. He finished 9-13 from the field and 8-11 from the free throw line. The two-time MVP finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Unfortunately, he did not get very much help beyond the other two players on our studs list.

Giannis led all scorers tonight.

26 PTS | 13 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/DVyr6aBRaK

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 24, 2022

Brook Lopez

It is still interesting to hear that Brook Lopez is the all-time points leader in Brooklyn Nets history. The savvy veteran did look comfortable offensively back in his old stomping grounds. Lopez finished with 23 points on 10-16 shooting (2-5 from three). He also had five rebounds and a steal.

Brook is cooking.

23 PTS | 5 REB | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/Q3NZp8Ynbb

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 24, 2022

Bobby Portis

The Bucks’ sixth man, Bobby Portis, recorded yet another double-double off the bench for Milwaukee. Portis was 5-11 from the floor (0-3 from three) to finish with 10 points. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and led the Bucks in +/- for the game (+8).

Bobby bullying. 😤 pic.twitter.com/36wbJgCjJf

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 24, 2022

Three Duds

Jevon Carter

The Bucks gave Jevon Carter the start against the team that waived him last season. Unfortunately, he could not do much either offensively or defensively in this game. Carter finished 2-10 from the floor (0-6 from three) and finished with just five points.

Grayson Allen

After a solid start to the season, Grayson Allen has struggled to play well consistently. The loss to the Nets was just another reminder of this. Allen played 25 minutes, but was just 1-3 from the floor (1-2 from three) to finish with just three points. He was also liability on defense, coming in with a team-low -30 on the +/- scale.

Mike Budenholzer

I generally try to stay clear of criticizing coaches that have won NBA titles. However, the decision to start Carter and keep playing Allen instead of giving more minutes to MarJon Beauchamp just did not make much sense. The lineup has better flow with Beauchamp in it, which makes everyone more productive. Moreover, Beauchamp was 2-6 from the floor last night (2-5 from three) and finished with six points. In the 15 minutes he played, the Bucks were +4, indicating his presence was a positive one as opposed to Carter and Allen.