Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 111-104 win over Los Angeles Lakers

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Wesley Matthews #9, Khris Middleton #22, and Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks hi-five during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Wesley Matthews #9, Khris Middleton #22, and Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks hi-five during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 19: (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 19: (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images). /

The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the NBA’s best record after they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in what was a thrilling showdown Thursday night.

With all of the NBA world watching, the Milwaukee Bucks collected their biggest win of the 2019-20 season Thursday night as they edged past the Los Angeles Lakers in a 111-104 victory at Fiserv Forum.

After what was a restless start for both teams, it was the Bucks who struck first and found answers from three-point range to overcome their early offensive sluggishness. The Lakers’ dynamic duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James were quiet all throughout the period and the Bucks held a 23-17 edge at the end of one.

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The Bucks quickly ran out of the gate in the second quarter to add to their advantage, which rose well into the teens as the period moved along.

As the Bucks’ defense continued to shut down what was an anemic Lakers offense, the Bucks walked into the halftime break with a 65-46 lead.

It didn’t take long for Los Angeles to chip away at their deficit once play picked back up in the second half. And making matters worse was the fact that the Bucks’ two key pieces, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, both got into foul trouble early on in the third quarter.

Milwaukee was initially able to withstand the absences of their All-Stars, but with Davis coming alive and eventually playing every second of the second half, the Bucks’ lead dwindled down to 89-81 through three.

But it was the partnership of Antetokounmpo and Middleton that combined forces for the Bucks and kept the Lakers at bay as they continued to push their comeback attempt until the final seconds of the night. Both Antetokounmpo and Middleton ended up scoring 18 of the Bucks’ 22 points in the final frame.

So without further ado, let’s break down what stood out in the Bucks’ win over the Lakers from Thursday night, starting with the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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