Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 118-112 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are really good

Let’s begin with what should be the most important talking point from Sunday’s game. The Oklahoma City Thunder are an elite team, and there’s no reason for anyone to look for excuses as to what went wrong for the Bucks on this occasion.

In short, the Bucks were beaten by the better team on Sunday night, even though they almost found a way to steal away with an unlikely win in the closing minutes.

Few, if any, teams have been better than the Bucks on their given night this year, and what was apparent from this matchup is that there aren’t many teams capable of doing what the Thunder did.

Milwaukee may own the league’s best defense statistically, but Oklahoma City has been right alongside them all season long. The Thunder walled off the paint better than any team has managed against the Bucks this season, contested every single shot attempt, and most obviously made this a hellishly difficult night for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Beyond that, then having a player capable of going down the other end and paying off that defense with equally great offense is not a luxury afforded to most NBA teams. That’s exactly what Paul George did, though. In particular, he knocked down tough, contested three-pointers all night long, including in the clutch when he was needed for OKC to hang on.

The Thunder boast a kind of length, athleticism and defensive IQ that likely can’t be found elsewhere outside of Milwaukee, Indiana, and Utah. Add a legitimate superstar talent to the mix, and you’re in position for special performances like this one.