Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 127-106 win over Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings loses the ball while covered by Sterling Brown #23 and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center on January 10, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 10: (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Freak out (of sync)

The leading performances of both Bledsoe and Middleton sure came in handy with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo enduring through his quietest performance of the season.

Despite starting his night with his lone triple, Antetokounmpo was very much out of sync offensively as he was tentative penetrating the paint and had to work much harder to create looks in areas where he usually excels. Case in point, Antetokounmpo scored a season-worst four points in the paint after previously setting his season-low in the Bucks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs a week ago.

Of course, that only brings up the speculation regarding the back soreness he’s been saddled with in recent weeks, which surely played a factor. But the way in which opposing defenses recently have walled off the paint and have defended him in the interior has ramped up as well.

All in all, Antetokounmpo finished with a season-low 13 points on nine shots (1-for-1 from three, 4-for-8 from the foul line), 10 rebounds, five assists, three turnovers, one steal and was a -8 in over 28 minutes of run.

Milwaukee was able to win in spite of Antetokounmpo’ struggles, but the workload he’s carrying right now may be a reason for why he’s currently stuck in this rough patch by his grand standards.

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