Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades from 136-132 loss to Dallas Mavericks

B+. Eric Bledsoe playing well as he works his way back up to speed is a very positive development for the Bucks. Bledsoe attacked the rim with some success early, and even knocked down some jump shots as the game wore on. More generally, as his minutes have been extended, it’s been notable how more control has come into the Bucks’ game overall. With efficient shooting giving him 15 points on 6-of-10 from the field, and five rebounds and four assists for good measure, there was a lot to like about Bledsoe’s 31 minutes on Saturday.. Guard. Milwaukee Bucks. ERIC BLEDSOE

Wesley Matthews didn’t have his finest of games against his former team, largely because he drew the thankless task of guarding Luka Doncic for much of the contest. For as skilled as Matthews is as a defender, Doncic’s craftiness, vision, and underrated change of pace all proved just a little too much for the Bucks veteran to deal with. Wes did go 2-of-4 from deep on the other end, and came up with a beautiful and surprising assist to the corner off of a dribble drive. But Wes has been better than this, and likely will be again going forward.. Wing. Milwaukee Bucks. WESLEY MATTHEWS. C

B+. This was a tidy and efficient showing from Khris Middleton, but he could have been a little more aggressive. An 8-of-12 shooting performance from the field has Khris back within touching distance of 50-40-90, but a couple more shots could easily have delivered a Bucks win here. It’s tough to fault what Middleton did provide, though. Five turnovers may well be the biggest stain on his performance, but 11 assists more than counters that. On the whole, Middleton looks in good shape, and that’s most important given what lies ahead.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. KHRIS MIDDLETON

I guess we now know where Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free throw power comes from, as after a good start from the stripe, a forceful kick from Maxi Kleber that landed…down low…set off a series of misses and even air-balls. Otherwise, Giannis continued to make so much of the game look easier than ever, as he has since the restart, but then would pepper in unnecessary fouls that jeopardize his place in the game. Giannis has to get that element of his game under control, and has done so before, because otherwise his 34 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks leave very little to gripe about.. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO. A-

Brook Lopez just continues to build on what’s been a truly phenomenal run in the bubble, and that may honestly prove to be more significant for the Bucks’ championship hopes than anything else we’ve seen so far in Orlando. This was far from the ideal matchup for Brook defensively, and he did miss a couple of chances late on, but a season-high 34-points, including 6-of-12 from deep was pretty spectacular, and the Bucks arguably should have gone to him even more with the game on the line.. Center. Milwaukee Bucks. BROOK LOPEZ. A