Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over New York Knicks
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks always tend to make things as dramatic as possible when they take on the New York Knicks, especially in Madison Square Garden.
After blowing a 21-point lead to the Knicks and losing just days ago, these two teams were set for a rematch. Once again, the Bucks took control early and built up a lead that grew to 24 at its peak, but that would not last. The bloodthirsty second unit of the Knicks came all the way back from the depths to tie this game up midway through the fourth quarter, certainly giving the Bucks quite the scare. However, Milwaukee would hold off their late surge and seal a 112-100 victory to even up their record at 6-6 on the season. With that being said, let us take a closer look at the three huge takeaways from the contest.
The Milwaukee Bucks finally find a groove from 3-point range in the win over New York Knicks
Outside shooting has been a struggle for the Bucks this season, but they finally found a rhythm against the Knicks. They finished shooting 26-of-50 (52 percent) from behind the arc on the night, having lit it up from distance as a team. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the most threes a team has ever made in Madison Square Garden.
The Bucks made 26 3-pt FG, the most ever in a game at Madison Square Garden.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 11, 2021
They made 7 3-pt FG after the Knicks tied the game 89-89, tied for the most 3s made in the final 5 minutes of regulation over the last 25 seasons. pic.twitter.com/y0zcgZFgIw
Two specific Bucks that played a massive part in this 3-point barrage were Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen. Connaughton was sensational throughout the game, having hit a new career-high seven triples in the game. There will be more on his big game in a moment. Meanwhile, Allen was also electric by shooting 5-of-11 from distance, catching fire late in the game to hold off any idea of a comeback from the Knicks. These two have been prolific perimeter shooters this season, and they showed it last night.
Jrue Holiday found the shooter’s touch as he buried four triples in six attempts, finally getting his shots to drop after a rough stretch over the past few games. Semi Ojeleye, who had been locked in an immense shooting slump to begin the season, came off the bench and shot 2-of-3 from behind the long line. George Hill followed suit with the same line, and Giannis Antetokounmpo even got in on the action by shooting 2-of-5 from distance.
Although it was a close game, the Bucks are a tough team to beat when they are shooting it this well from deep. They have been a poor shooting team to start the season, and this game should help spark some life into them.