It was not the smoothest ride, but the Milwaukee Bucks got the job done as they hosted the San Antonio Spurs late Saturday night.
It was a back and forth battle all night between these two teams, with each group possessing a double-digit lead at one point in the contest. Despite a career-high 31 points from San Antonio’s Lonnie Walker IV on a night where he could not be stopped, the Bucks prevailed with a 120-113 win over the Spurs.
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This marked the team’s sixth consecutive victory, their longest such streak of the season. It appears that the wheels have finally started to turn for the Bucks during this recent stretch of games, and they can only improve from this point forward.
Milwaukee’s record improves to 27-14 on the season following the win, still sitting 1.5 games out of the Eastern Conference’s top spot. This team will certainly continue chipping away at that difference with the postseason inching close, but they can only take that one game at a time.
For now, here are three takeaways from their win over the Spurs at Fiserv Forum Saturday night.
First takeaway from win over San Antonio Spurs — P.J. Tucker’s Milwaukee Bucks debut flashes potential
After being acquired by the Bucks through a trade this past Wednesday, veteran forward P.J. Tucker made his debut with the team against the Spurs.
Coming off the bench, Tucker logged just over 12 and a half minutes in the contest, finishing with zero points, missing his sole shot attempt from the field. However, the front office did not bring the forward in under the mindset that they would rely heavily on his scoring. Instead, they needed his robust defensive presence, and he showcased that defensive expertise in his limited minutes with some high-energy moments.
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The forward checked in and made an immediate impact on the defensive end, showing his versatility by guarding multiple positions and keeping active hands at all times. Although he played under 13 minutes in totality last night, Tucker certainly made a strong first impression as he turned up the intensity on defense.
Even in his first game with the franchise, Tucker showcased a glimpse into what he brings to the table and just how important he can be for this team down the line. Defensive efforts have been a sizeable issue for the team this season, and they believe a player like Tucker will undoubtedly help them improve on that side of the ball as he becomes more accustomed to the team.
Last night was just about getting his feet wet with a brand new team in his first NBA action since March 3, and his minutes will only continue increasing from here.