Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

3 takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks’ ugly loss to Dallas Mavericks

By Dalton Sell

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks up in the final seconds of the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks up in the final seconds of the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis, Dallas Mavericks: Davis Bertans, Reggie Bullock
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 03 (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, who had been battling with shooting slumps, both found a groove for the Milwaukee Bucks

Switching to something positive from the defeat, both Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton played their best games in quite some time as they have battled through shooting slumps lately.

Portis was impactful off the bench as he clocked in 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-6 from behind the arc. It was great to see Portis find himself in a great rhythm from long range, considering he had not made multiple 3-pointers in a game since March 9. Moving to the bench following Brook Lopez’s return seemingly played a massive factor in this slump as the big man had to adjust to this seismic change, but hopefully this great game can help Portis regain his sweet shooting touch. In addition to his scoring, Portis notched eight rebounds and a steal and was a team-high +11 in his 23 minutes of action.

Connaughton followed Portis with 12 points of his own off the bench, shooting an efficient 4-of-8 from the floor. A significant portion of that damage came from 3-point territory, where he knocked down three triples in seven attempts, one of which resulted in a four-point play. Given that he hit a mere three triples in his last four games combined, it was refreshing to see Connaughton find his footing and have an efficient game from distance. The guard finished as a +9 for the game, second on the team behind only Portis.

Portis and Connaughton are the two most important pieces off Milwaukee’s bench, and this game captured that perfectly. Given the recent struggles from the duo, hopefully the tandem has shaken off their rust and can continue producing at a high level moving forward. With the playoffs nearing, the Milwaukee Bucks will certainly need them to be clicking.

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