Game of the season
If Eric Bledsoe could play against the Brooklyn Nets, or more specifically D’Angelo Russell, every night, he may well find himself among the leading contenders for MVP.
As the Bucks faced the Nets twice in the span of five days as the season wound down, Bledsoe relished the challenge posed by Brooklyn and produced two of his very best performances of the season.
Bledsoe’s 29 points, seven assists, five rebounds and five steals on April 1 was certainly a real contender for Bledsoe’s game of the season. That is until he went even better when the Nets visited Milwaukee on April 6.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out, and the Bucks requiring just one more win to seal their 60th of the season, Bledsoe took a leading role with a spectacular individual showing.
In just under 33 minutes of action, Bledsoe poured in a season-high 33 points, while also dishing out 11 assists to his teammates. Four rebounds, two steal and a block acted as the cherry on top of Bledsoe’s showing, but it was his offensive efficiency that really jumped out.
Bledsoe’s 12-of-17 from the field would be impressive in its own right, but a 5-of-6 effort from deep was truly something to behold considering his general struggles from distance.
Russell clinching the final spot on the All-Star team undoubtedly rankled with Bledsoe, and he was certainly out to prove a point late in the season as a result. On this occasion he certainly won the individual battle, but Russell had the last laugh as Brooklyn took the win on the night.