The Milwaukee Bucks improved to 3-0 on the season for the first time in four seasons on the back of a comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. The Bucks struggled shooting early and entered halftime trailing by 12. However, Milwaukee outscored the Nets 35-21 to take a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Bucks then outscored the Nets 32-23 in the fourth to seal an 11-point victory on their home court. Obviously, there were some struggles early, but there were also many consistent players throughout the night. Here, I highlight the best performances and those that we may need to keep an eye on, even though the season is still young.
Bucks Win!! pic.twitter.com/9OnAJWMDXx
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2022
Three Studs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Four days ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Bucks’ 125-105 win over the Houston Rockets. The Greek Freak was just as brilliant against the Nets, scoring over 40 points for the second consecutive game. Giannis finished with 43 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and a steal. The two-time MVP was 16-25 from the floor, including 1-4 from three. Giannis also had his best free throw shooting game of the young season, going 10-14 from the line.
Warning, Giannis may cause others dizziness. pic.twitter.com/9kskmEKH23
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2022
Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez looks like a new player this season with a fully healthy back. Despite scoring just seven points on 3-10 shooting (1-5 from three), the Bucks’ center grabbed six rebounds and had an incredible six blocks on the night.
We would not recommend testing Brook at the rim. 🚫 pic.twitter.com/72NrEfPgg8
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2022
Lopez had five blocks in the Bucks’ last game against Houston and two blocks in the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. If Lopez continues his dominance around the rim, fans could be in for a special defensive season from the 14-year veteran.
Bobby Portis
As mentioned previously, the Bucks got off to a slow start offensively. Their 12-point deficit at half time would have been even greater had it not been for Bobby Portis. Milwaukee’s sixth man had 16 points in the first half to lead the Bucks in scoring at that point. He finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks off of the bench. Early returns on the contract he signed this offseason look great as he is averaging a double-double off the bench through three games.
13 points for Bobby!
There's a new option to watch Bucks basketball. Click here to learn more: ➡ https://t.co/VEItIMvbxe pic.twitter.com/eDhQFZBEpL
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) October 27, 2022
Related: Bucks Star Bobby Portis: “Milwaukee Changed My Life”
Three Duds
Grayson Allen
The Bucks’ starting shooting guard had a rough night shooting. Grayson Allen had just five points while shooting just 1-8 from the floor. Allen was 1-6 from three and 2-2 from the line. He added five points and four assists, but was a big contributor to the Bucks’ early shooting struggles.
Wes Matthews
Speaking of shooting struggles, if were not for two made three pointers late in the game, Wes Matthews would have had a much poorer stat line than he did. When everything was said and done, he had seven points and one assist. Matthews started the night 0-5 from beyond the arc, but the aforementioned two made threes late helped the Bucks pull away in the fourth quarter.
Three Point Shooting
The shooting struggles that the Bucks had has already been documented. It is worth noting, however, that as a team they shot just 10-36 (27.8%) from three. Fortunately, the Nets were even worse, shooting just 7-25 (25.9%) from three. So far this season, the Bucks have been extremely streaky in terms of their three-point shooting. On opening night, they shot 31% as a team. Against the Rockets, the Bucks made 51.6% of their three-point shots. It could be that their four-day layoff led to their cold shooting night, but it is going to be something they will monitor as the season progresses.
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