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Milwaukee Bucks: What’s trending since returning from All-Star break

By Tyler Schickert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 20: (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 20: (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Milwaukee Bucks’ starting five has been a rising trend since the break.

It goes without saying the Bucks are led by MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and, save for his recent outings against the Celtics, he has be doing it all for the Bucks since the All-Star break. The 26-year-old is started the second half of the season with three straight triple-doubles and earned an Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for his efforts.

Over his seven appearances since the break, Antetokounmpo is averaging 25 points on .566/.391/.776 shooting, 10.9 rebounds, 9 assists across 34 minutes per game. Not only has Antetokounmpo had his fingerprints all over the Bucks’ best stretch of the basketball, his ability to make make plays and score clutch baskets like in the Bucks’ overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers has been equally impressive.

Elsewhere, the Bucks have been bolstered by Jrue Holiday returning to full strength after having to miss 10 games while having COVID-19 last month. With his legs now under him and his conditioning back to an elite level, Holiday has been playing with plenty of tenacity on both ends of the floor while playing highly efficiently offensively.

DiVincenzo has also elevated his play not only on offense, but in rebounding as well. Donte is averaging 8.6 rebounds for the Bucks since the All-Star break and for the leading team in the NBA. He’s doing that while averaging 12.9 points on .446/.388/.769 shooting and 3.3 assists over his eight appearances since the break.

Khris Middleton continues to be a very solid all around player for the Bucks and has been trending upwards after going through a midseason malaise prior to the break. Middleton has been effective in nearly every aspect since the All-Star break and is staying engaged even when not shooting the ball well. He’s up to averaging 20.3 points on .480/.472/.852 shooting, 6 rebounds and 4 assists across 33.2 minutes per game the break.

Lastly, the play of Brook Lopez has been reassuring to see since the break. Lopez has improved as a scorer as the season has gone on as he reached double digits in 13 of his 14 games. More importantly, Lopez has shown off his high defensive pedigree, both when standing in front and defending the rim and when looking trap or switch on to opposing ball handlers.

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