3 keys in Milwaukee Bucks intriguing matchup vs Los Angeles Lakers

Can Jrue Holiday continue his homecoming hot streak?

Call it a homecoming tour, call it a revenge tour for not being named to the All-Star team as a reserve or injury replacement, but whatever it is, Jrue Holiday is on an absolute heater right now and another big game in L.A. would be a big step in taking the first three games of the four-game road trip.

Holiday played his first game in his hometown this week and boy, oh boy, did he ever deliver.

The Bucks were in control for most of the game, but the Los Angeles Clippers are one of the best 4th quarter teams in the league and cut the lead. It would have been easy for the Bucks to fold and take a loss on the second night of a back-to-back.

Holiday wasn’t having it.

He scored 11 of his 27 points in the final frame (and 16 in the second half) and showcased his entire bag with stepbacks, drives, and so on.

It’s a treat to watch when Holiday gets going on offense and is aggressive. He wasn’t needed much against the Portland Trail Blazers to kick off the trip (only nine points on 3-of-4 shooting), but he sure loves playing in L.A. He averaged 26 points on 76.6 true shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks in both games in the city of Angels last season, so it would stand to reason that he’ll have another big night tonight.

He also struggled in their first game against the Lakers with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting (1-of-6 from 3) with five turnovers. That was still in the early stages of when he returned from an ankle sprain, but it’s another little bit of added motivation for the All-Star snub.