Milwaukee Bucks: 3 wins to relive now on NBA League Pass
By Adam McGee
vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 12/19/19
Less than two weeks after the Clippers were humbled at Fiserv Forum, Los Angeles’ other team made their sole regular season visit to Milwaukee.
With the Bucks and Lakers meeting for the first time in the season, it marked the first game since 1980 where two teams that were at least 20 games above .500 had faced off before January 1.
In other words, this was a true heavyweight battle.
Much like they did against the Clippers, the Bucks used the first half to lay down a marker. Running riot against the Lakers and building up a 19-point lead in the process.
A response was waiting from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Co. in the second half, though, as the game ultimately evolved to be a hard-fought contest down the stretch.
It was the Bucks who would prevail, though, thanks in large part to an incredibly memorable effort from Giannis. Not only did Antetokounmpo chip in with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, but he did so while draining a career-high five triples as he was continually invited to shoot by the Lakers’ defense.
If and when play resumes, and when attention pivots to the postseason, this is likely a game that could be revisited as a potential look into the Finals.