Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 144-109 win over Sacramento Kings
Headlined by their record-breaking three-point showing as well as the superstar effort of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks notched their eighth win of the young season over the frisky Sacramento Kings Sunday afternoon.
The Milwaukee Bucks responded to logging their first loss of the 2018-19 season by dismantling one of the year’s early surprises in the Sacramento Kings for a Sunday matinee at Fiserv Forum as they won 144-109.
The Kings put their best foot forward to open up proceedings as they took early control of the game by utilizing their new brand of up-tempo basketball to their advantage. But an extended run midway through the first quarter spun control of the lead back in the Bucks’ favor for the rest of the period as they led 39-30 after one.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
It became increasingly clear in the opening minutes of the second quarter that the Kings possessed little to no answers in trying to match the Bucks’ firepower.
That was certainly evident by not only Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo putting on a show, but the supporting cast around draining triples from long range, all of which helped them hold a 72-50 lead heading into halftime.
The halftime break didn’t do anything to slow down Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ three-point marksmen as they continued to roll throughout the third quarter. Hitting the triple-digit mark near the end of the period, the Bucks were in cruise control by the end of the third as they sported a 108-82 lead, which was capped off by Antetokounmpo earning his triple-double for the day.
For the final frame, the Bucks’ second unit and end of bench players put a bow on the rout in record-breaking fashion by totaling a new franchise mark for most threes made and taken in a game near the end of the fourth.
The Bucks’ 144 points scored on the day also stands noteworthy as Kane Pitman of The Step Back and The Pick and Roll pointed out following the end of the game:
The 144 points is the Bucks highest point total in a non-OT regular season game since March 18 1979, when they scored 147 against San Antonio.
— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) November 4, 2018
They also broke franchise records in 3-point shots made (22) and 3-point shots attempted (56). Big day at Fiserv Forum.
So without further ado, let’s dig into what stood out in the Bucks’ win over the Sacramento Kings Sunday afternoon, starting with the Bucks’ record three-point shooting performance.