Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 119-91 win over LA Clippers

Having your birthday cake and eating it too

Celebrating his 25th birthday, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to take care of business. And so did the Bucks’ both with their leading face of the franchise, and without him in the minutes he was on the bench.

Playing nearly 26 and a half minutes of action, Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points on 20 shots (1-for-4 from three, 4-for-6 from the foul line), 11 rebounds, four assists and four turnovers and was a +7 on the night.

Much like the Bucks’ performance in general, Antetokounmpo played his way into his game and it took him some time to break through the Clippers’ defensive wall in the paint. That eventually paid off in the second half when Antetokounmpo immediately lifted the squad with a pair of powerful dunks over Clippers big man Ivica Zubac and knocking down his lone triple of the night.

Chipping in a nice fadeaway jump hook and a free throw, Antetokounmpo tallied a 13-point third quarter and eventually bowed out of the game for good at the 8:56 mark in the fourth quarter.

Remarkably, the Bucks were able to feast on the Clippers in the 21 minutes and 20 seconds Antetokounmpo was on the bench for the night as the Bucks were a +21 throughout those minutes, per NBA.com/stats. Antetokounmpo compiling such efficient stat lines in limited action has been the norm over this last week as ESPN Stats & Info relayed this feat following the win.

There’s not much else to say after that and I certainly won’t try. Except to say the Bucks are quite good and can be, even without their best player on the floor.