Bucks Grades: Sharpshooting Tops Pistons 101-86

Milwaukee Bucks Grades: Starters

BRANDON KNIGHT, B+

14 Points| 5-12 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK |

Knight continues to be the jack-of-all-trades point guard. He hit both three point attempts, attacked the rim, rebounded well, and didn’t turn the ball over. The play that stands out tonight was his layup at the end of the first quarter. The Pistons were in command of the game, leading by seven, and the Bucks needed points. Knight responded with one of those “how did he get that open?” layups, abusing Jenning’s horrid defense.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO, D

6 Points| 3-9 FG | 0-2 FT | 5 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK |

He opened the game with a smooth and confident 18-foot jumper, but quickly regressed missing good looks at the hoop off of strong post moves. On the fast break he charged straight at the defense with no apparent plan before getting stopped in the restricted zone and turning it over . Perhaps we’re expecting too much too soon, but SEVEN turnovers combined with uninspired offense is just not a good look.

KHRIS MIDDLETON, A

16 Points | 7-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |

Tonight we saw exactly how effective of a player Middleton can be. His seven rebounds led the team while he played some SF in Kidd’s small-ball lineup with Mayo playing the SG. He stretched the floor shooting 2-3 from deep, passed unselfishly, and looked every bit the player Buck’s fans hope he can become. Oh, he also finished the game with a +/- of +33.

Ersan Ilyasova, B

9 Points| 4-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK |

Ilyasova continues to show his defensive value by grabbing six rebounds and a block in only 17 minutes. What hurts Ilyasova’s grade is that he reverted back to hesitant-mode for part of the game, balking at open shots we know he can make, particularly in the first quarter. His three point shot wasn’t sharp (1-4) nor was his passing (3 turnovers) but his presence on the glass was felt which feels like an anomaly for this Buck’s team.

Zaza Pachulia, B

8 Points | 4-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 6 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

There’s something magical about watching Zaza pass from the low block. He demonstrated that passing ability against Detroit tallying six assists on a variety of back to the basket passes, kick outs, and no lookers. He did struggle defensively early in the first quarter, allowing eight points to Andre Drummond, but continued playing tough as he always does.

Next: Grades: Bench