Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 136-132 loss to Dallas Mavericks

Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 136-132 loss to Dallas Mavericks – Giannis’ rollercoaster

Those highs and lows were certainly exemplified by the kind of night that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo wound up having in the team’s loss.

Antetokounmpo got his night started on the right note by doing the usual attacking of the basket that is central to his amazing game. But as the night wore on, Antetokounmpo’s decisions to settle for range jumpers and quick threes gradually wore down his outing and the same could certainly be said for his extended struggles from the free throw line.

All while that was going on, the reigning MVP once again flirted with foul trouble and ended up closing out his night with four seconds left to go in overtime. The validity to some of the foul calls that went against Antetokounmpo notwithstanding, it’s now three of the Bucks’ five games in Orlando where the superstar has battled with foul trouble.

Antetokounmpo’s greatness goes without saying and meeting that MVP standard is certainly steep. But there’s been a level of volatility present during Antetokounmpo’s play and minutes so far in Orlando that certainly are reminiscent of him finding his footing at the start of seasons.

Only this time, it feels like a precursor to the adversity Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as a whole will have to overcome going into the playoffs and how opponents will look to get under the skin of the 25-year-old moving forward.

All in all, Antetokounmpo posted 34 points on 26 shots (1-for-7 from three, 7-for-14 from the free throw line), 13 rebounds, five blocks, four turnovers and an assist in nearly 33-and-a-half minutes of burn.