Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 139-112 win over Minnesota Timberwolves

Second takeaway from win over Minnesota Timberwolves — The second unit gives the Milwaukee Bucks a sizeable boost

Milwaukee’s bench has been up and down this season in terms of production, but they stepped up to the plate in Tuesday’s action against Minnesota. Every reserve that saw any action scored the basketball at least once, which helped the second unit run up the scoreboard with 49 points of their own.

Individually, Forbes was the star of the night off the bench for the Bucks by providing an immeasurable spark offensively. Shooting 8-of-13 from the floor, including 5-of-9 from 3-point territory, the sharpshooting guard finished with a season-high 23 points in the win. He also logged three assists in his nearly 26 minutes of burn, showcasing that he can do more than just let it fly on the offensive end.

Next up was Bobby Portis, whose fan favorite status continues ascending with each passing game. Portis finished with 14 points on the night and shot an efficient 6-of-11 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from deep. The backup big man showcased the defensive impact that he occasionally can have by notching two blocks and two steals in his 22 and a half minutes.

Surprisingly, Milwaukee’s third leading scorer off the bench was Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting. The older Antetokounmpo has recently been thrown back into the Bucks’ rotation, and he is making the most of the opportunity. In addition to his 75 percent shooting night, Thanasis tallied eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and provided that burst of energy that he always does when he steps on the floor.

When the MBucks get this level of production from their second unit, they are undoubtedly tough to beat. Inconsistency has been an issue for this group throughout the year, and hopefully, they can build something positive from this performance.