Bucks Gaming dominate Kings Guard Gaming for second straight win

Bucks Gaming continued their climb back toward .500 with a win over Kings Guard Gaming, making it back-to-back wins for Milwaukee.

Bucks Gaming produced arguably their most dominant performance of the NBA 2K League season so far on Friday night, as they made light work of Kings Guard Gaming in a 79-70 win.

Still recovering from a brutal schedule to start the year, the Bucks are now starting to round out back toward .500. Having beaten the Magic in the final game of their first two-game week last weekend, defeating the Kings made it two-in-a-row for the Bucks and sets up a potential streak in the coming weeks.

While the starting lineup has gone through a host of significant changes throughout the season, it seems like Bucks Gaming have finally found a style and a rhythm that brings out their best.

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After a much improved and more involved performance as a Rebounding Post Center against the Magic, oLarry stuck with that archetype at the center spot.

Alongside oLarry in the frontcourt, BigMeek filled his usual role as a Rebounding Athletic Finisher, Game6Drake led the way at point guard as a Sharpshooting Playmaker, with the lineup rounded out by STL2LA and King Peroxide on the wings as Pure Sharpshooters.

The Bucks got off to a red-hot start, making 8-of-9 shots to start the game and building some early separation behind outstanding three-point shooting from STL and pinpoint accurate passing from Drake.

The Bucks’ point guard had an outstanding 14 assists on the night, and had racked up seven dimes by the time the Kings were forced into a timeout with just over a minute left in the first quarter.

STL’s shooting was a key factor in Bucks Gaming keeping their opponents at bay throughout the night, but he was particularly effective in the first half. Having struggled to make an impact early in the season, STL looked transformed as a sharpshooter at the 2 spot, finishing the night with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-6 from deep, including a buzzer-beater.

https://twitter.com/BucksGG/status/1010321575680372736

STL wasn’t alone in knocking down shots either, as although he wasn’t playing the central role he’s thrived in at points in the season, Peroxide made 3-of-5 from deep for 11 points of his own too.

In the second half, the Bucks weathered multiple runs from the Kings but did so without ever really looking in danger of coughing up their lead. Milwaukee’s game-management was on display as they were about as efficient and disciplined as they’ve looked at any point this season.

While shooting was the big difference through the first two quarters, it was the work on the inside that really set the Bucks apart as the game progressed, though.

BigMeek and oLarry dominated the Kings inside, simply out-muscling, out-working and out-rebounding their Sacramento counterparts, who were set up in the hopes of spacing the floor at the opposite end.

Bucks Gaming’s frontcourt combined for 41 points with 23 for oLarry and 18 for BigMeek, but it was the work on the glass that really punished the Kings. The Bucks won the rebounding battle 23-12, with Larry coming up strong on the offensive glass and Meek corralling close to every ball that dropped off the defensive board.

On the whole, the Bucks’ team defense was impressive and with all five players scoring in double digits, there was a similar balance on display offensively.

Next: Bucks Gaming split doubleheader: Lose to Celtics, defeat Magic

Equipped with greatly improved play and growing confidence, the Bucks have moved up to 10th place in the standings, and will hope to make further strides when they face off with Pacers Gaming, the league’s bottom ranked team, on Saturday, June 30 at 10am CT.