On Monday night the Milwaukee Bucks looked to add another victory over a contender, this time the San Antonio Spurs. What they got was a humbling beating from the league’s most complete team.
Things started well enough for the Milwaukee Bucks, who leaped out to a 17-9 lead mid-way through the first. Jabari Parker triggered the Bucks scoring with four quick points to start the game.
But the Spurs weren’t phased by the Bucks hot start and whittled Milwaukee’s lead down to one by the start of the second quarter.
The Bucks were able to extend their lead to four in the second quarter, forcing a S.A. timeout and a Greg Popovich substitution. That sub, Jonathon Simmons (who?) torched the Bucks for twelve points in the quarter as the Spurs turned a 37-33 deficit into a 60-49 halftime advantage.
With Jeryyd Bayless out due to an aggravated ankle injury, and the defense unable to stop San Antonio’s attack (60.5% 2nd half FG%), Milwaukee wilted against one of the league’s strongest teams.
As an optimistic, perhaps even homer-ish Bucks fan this was a humbling loss. The Spurs absorbed the Bucks best shot and effortlessly handled them when the hot-shooting cooled off.
Milwaukee had no answer for the San Antonio bigs. LaMarcus Alridge, in particular, was too much for anyone the Bucks threw at him (though Giannis gave him a strong fight).
In a season that is becoming more and more about learning experiences this game serves one of the biggest–the Bucks have a long, long way to go.
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