Milwaukee Bucks Grades, Reactions to 90-88 Win Over Portland Trailblazers

Milwaukee Bucks Grades: Starters

O.J. Mayo, A-

15 Points| 5-13 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK |

He hit a pair of fourth quarter threes that the Bucks desperately needed. Those are the sort of shots that no one on the the team is looking to take–especially in transition. But he did just that and provided the spark that the Bucks needed to have a shot at stealing the game.

Khris Middleton, C+

14 Points | 4-13 FG | 5-6 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK |

He never found his stroke from deep–shooting just 1-6 from behind the arc. But he did manage to shoot 3-7 on all other shots, and made it to the free throw line six times. While unspectacular, it’s just the sort of performance we’ve come to expect from the Buck’s quiet swingman.

 Giannis Antetokounmpo, B+

17 Points | 5-10 FG | 7-8 FT | 9 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK |

For as crucial as Mayo’s threes were late, they wouldn’t have mattered if Giannis didn’t also step up. He started his late fourth quarter run by hitting 4-4 free throws then scored an important layup to keep the Bucks within two. We don’t often see much from late game Giannis, so this felt like a rare treat.

Jabari Parker, B+

12 Points | 4-8 FG | 4-5 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

Parker’s really starting to find his groove. It’s easy to notice his explosive dunks (he added a couple more against Portland), but what really impresses me about his game is his off the ball movement and court vision. His feel for the game is coming back, and that can be an elusive muse when you miss as much time as he did.

Greg Monroe, A

16 Points| 7-11 FG | 2-2 FT | 12 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

While he gets big credit for hitting the go-ahead layup that wasn’t the highlight of his game to me. Instead, it was the way he dominated the low post, violently chased rebounds, and creating an imposing force the Blazers never really got the hang of defending.

Next: Grades: Bench