Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Loss To Los Angeles Lakers

Feb 10, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 10, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) defends during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) defends during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Giannis And Company

This game was over by halftime. Or it should have been, anyway. Giannis Antetokounmpo refused to let that happen. In the second half alone, Giannis posted 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Greek Freak was also the only thing even keeping the first quarter somewhat competitive. The Bucks still got outscored by eight with Giannis on the floor, but damn was he trying hard to get Milwaukee back in the game. Giannis ended the night with a career-high 41 points, plus eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks.

His relentless efforts to do so inspired his teammates, especially Malcolm Brogdon, who then also started fighting harder. The Bucks outscored the Lakers by two in the third quarter, and then by 11 in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t enough for a win, but at least it was something.

The bigger question has to be: was it worth it? Milwaukee has another game on Saturday night, but that didn’t stop Jason Kidd from playing Giannis for 42 minutes against Los Angeles. It would’ve taken a miracle for the Bucks to actually win–why push for one at this point?