The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102 to improve to 8-0. The Bucks remain the lone undefeated team in the NBA and are off to the best start in franchise history. Notably, the Bucks shot 44.7% from three, a much improved rate than in their last game against the Detroit Pistons. Indeed, Milwaukee played a complete game and were in control for the entire contest.
Giannis: 26 pts, 13 reb, 11 ast
Jrue: 29 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast
Bobby: 18 pts, 8 reb, 5 astHIGHLIGHTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CSAWK9aVoI
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) November 5, 2022
Three Studs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
For a while, it looked like the Timberwolves had found the formula required to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Twin Towers” of Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert kept the lane off limits for most of the night. However, Giannis exploded for 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks pull away and clinch the victory. He also finished with his 30th career triple-double. This total increases his franchise record and moved him into 17th place on the NBA’s all-time list. The Greek Freak finished the night with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Giannis is turning it all the way up!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FGOivkcy4C
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 5, 2022
Jrue Holiday
I’ll be honest: when we found out that Khris Middleton was going to be out for the beginning of the season, I hoped the Bucks could just hang around in the East. In other words, I thought Milwaukee would struggle without their second-best player. How wrong I was!
This no look dime from Jrue almost tricked us. 😅 pic.twitter.com/gq5eIqt2xQ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 5, 2022
Jrue Holiday is playing like an All-Star this season. He finished the night with 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Holiday has scored 25+ points in four straight games and is now averaging 21.3 points per game on the season.
MarJon Beauchamp
Going into the game against the Timberwolves, MarJon Beauchamp had scored eight points in 29 minutes (five games played). The Bucks’ first round pick exploded for 14 points in 18 minutes and also grabbed five rebounds. Beauchamp was 6-10 from the floor, including 2-4 from three. He also got the Bucks’ bench off their feet with some highlight reel dunks late in the game.
MarJon with the big jam!! 🔨 pic.twitter.com/ffsESF6kkc
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 5, 2022
One of the most popular Bucks players, Bobby Portis, had high praise for Beauchamp after the game:
"That's my rook, man. … [He's] always staying ready, always in the gym late nights and it showed tonight." @BPortistime joined @melaniebricks to talk about the support on the road, the Bucks being 8-0, and MarJon Beauchamp's breakout game. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/OYH8gozKae
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) November 5, 2022
Three Duds
Jordan Nwora
I hate to kick a man when he’s down (Nwora took a nasty spill and was in obvious pain during the game), but Jordan Nwora had the worst game of any Bucks player who received meaningful minutes. In 13 minutes of play, Nwora was 0-2 from the floor, grabbed a rebound, and had an assist. Throughout his minutes, Nwora was a liability in defense, drawing ire from multiple Bucks fans on social media.
Where were you the night Marjon Beauchamp took Jordan Nwora's spot in the rotation
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) November 5, 2022
MarJon Beauchamp needs to play over Jordan Nwora from now on I’ve seen enough
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) November 5, 2022
Marjon plays within the offense and works harder on defense. He 100% deserves the minutes over Nwora.
— Trey Crosby III Guru (@TCIIIESQ) November 5, 2022
Hopefully Nwora is not seriously hurt. When his jump shot is on, he is a valuable role player who can hit the three. Unfortunately, he remains a defensive liability and is far too inconsistent to be considered reliable.
Free Throw Shooting
To be clear, this dud is mostly aimed at Giannis. The Greek Freak has a history of trouble at the free throw line and made just 10 of 20 attempts against the Timberwolves. As a team, the Bucks shot just 57.1% from the line. However, the majority of those misses came from Giannis.
There Isn’t a Third Dud
That’s it. Those were the worst performances from the Bucks, and neither are new concerns. Nwora is still inconsistent and Giannis still needs to work on free throws. This could have been a dud section from any game during the last three seasons.
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