Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 92-90 win over New York Knicks

Thrillwaukee, Wisconsin

This game really stood out not just for how close the final score was, but for how tight it was from start to finish.

Bucks games tend to have at least one quarter where one team blows the other out. Whether it’s a huge first quarter like the Bucks recently uncorked against Brooklyn, or a second-half meltdown as in Golden State’s visit to Milwaukee, it just feels like there is usually a stretch when one team is unstoppable.

In this game against the Knicks, no team won a quarter by more than two points. There were 22 lead changes, and the score was tied 16 times.

The Bucks led by as many as eight in the second quarter, and actually the game could have been broken open around that time were it not for a few timely buckets from Jeff Hornacek‘s squad, and some costly missed free throws (12-of-18 in the half) by Milwaukee.

The Knicks had 10 turnovers to the Bucks’ two in the half, and also shot just 2-of-13 on three pointers. But, Milwaukee failed to capitalize, and the stage was set for a back-and-forth second half that concluded with a big finish.

With time winding down and the score tied at 90, Giannis Antetokounmpo wheeled through the paint and converted a tough layup with one second remaining. Milwaukee forced a tough attempt at a triple from Tim Hardaway Jr. on the ensuing Knicks position. The Knicks guard failed to convert, and the Bucks emerged victorious.

Jabari Parker’s return was the big story coming into this matchup, but it was not the only point of intrigue. Antetokounmpo had recently suffered a minor injury to his ankle, and his role in this game was difficult to predict prior to the tip. Fortunately for the Bucks, Giannis did play, and his night was surprising in its own right.