3 takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ statement win over Brooklyn Nets

Bobby Portis stepped up significantly with the Milwaukee Bucks shorthanded

With no Jrue Holiday, no Grayson Allen, and no Pat Connaughton, among others, Bobby Portis was destined to get more touches offensively against the Nets. The Bucks badly needed him to have a huge game against such a formidable opponent, and the People’s Champ delivered.

With Khris Middleton struggling offensively and the Greek Freak getting in early foul trouble, Portis took control for the Bucks in the first half. He aggressively looked for his shot, whether it was from behind the arc, in the mid-range, or right at the hoop. When a mismatch presented itself, Portis did not hesitate to go to work and score the basketball. Portis also made his presence felt on the glass by tipping in baskets for second-chance points. At the half, Portis had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bucks to a 60-49 advantage.

He cooled off mightily in the second half, but the damage was already done. Portis finished with an impressive 25 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot in 32 minutes. Given how he helped spark a sizeable run for the Bucks in the first half, Portis finished with a team-high +27 single-game +/-, a testament to his tremendous impact. Things could have gotten ugly early on with Milwaukee’s two stars finding themselves in trouble, but Portis made sure that would not be the case, thankfully.

Portis is in the midst of a career year with the Bucks, and his numbers are bound to go up once again following a phenomenal performance last night.