Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 98-85 win against OKC Thunder

By Dalton Sell

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 19, 2021 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 19, 2021 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Feb 19, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

After a grueling five-game losing streak, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally back in the win column after their victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night.

The Bucks never let this one get out of hand, as the Thunder’s biggest lead of the game was just four points early on. After a slow start, Milwaukee eventually built up a 22-point lead at one point in the contest en route to a much-needed 98-85 victory.

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It was only the Bucks’ second game of the season where they failed to score 100 points, the other coming in their previous game against the Toronto Raptors.

Friday night’s game proved to be a low-scoring affair for both teams, as both offenses struggled significantly to put points on the board. Milwaukee shot just 40.7 percent from the floor, while Oklahoma City connected on just 36.5 percent of their own.

Nevertheless, a win is a win for the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, and here are three takeaways from the game that snapped their five-game skid.

First takeaway from win over OKC Thunder — Milwaukee Bucks build momentum in the third quarter

After the first quarter, the Bucks managed to have put just 16 points on the scoreboard. Typically, that would leave them in a sizeable hole to dig themselves out of, but the Thunder managed to put up just 20 points themselves.

These two teams turned things up a notch in the second quarter with more scoring, and after another 12 minutes, the Bucks were ahead with a 46-42 lead. As previously mentioned, neither team could sustain any consistency on offense throughout the game, and the Bucks fell well short of their league-leading 60.2 first half points per game.

With the Bucks clinging to just a four-point lead, this game was open for the taking if the Thunder came out in the second half with any form of offense. However, Milwaukee came out of the tunnel with a newfound sense of urgency after the break and took control of the contest over the next 12 minutes.

The Bucks outscored Oklahoma City 32-20 in the third period, propelled by nine points from Giannis Antetokounmpo within the first four and a half minutes. After three, the Bucks were in the driver’s seat with a 78-62 lead, never looking back in the fourth quarter. Third quarters have been somewhat of an issue for Milwaukee this season, and it was a breath of fresh air to see them put together a solid stretch.

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