Giannis Antetokounmpo career night leads Milwaukee Bucks over Wizards
Takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ win over Washington Wizards: Bucks have some massive lineups
Watching the Milwaukee Bucks close out their win over the Wizards Tuesday night I couldn’t help but notice the closing lineup Mike Budenholzer employed against Washington. With the game in the balance, the five players on the floor were Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez. Talk about the land of the trees! Essentially three seven-footers on the floor together with the best guard defender in the game and Grayson Allen, who has a respectable 105.5 defensive rating.
Now imagine this lineup, but with 6’8″ Khris Middleton in place of Grayson Allen, that lineup would be ridiculously big! In a modern NBA dominated often by small ball that covets players who can defend multiple positions, the Milwaukee Bucks have a unique roster that can combat that style of play.
The Milwaukee Bucks could roll out a lineup of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez that could cause nightmares for opponents, on both ends of the floor. Jrue can guard basically point guards through power forwards and could probably hold his own against a center for a possession or two, Khris is a long and still underrated defender, Giannis is a former DPOY, Bobby has great length and energy, finally Brook Lopez is still leading the NBA in blocks and is probably the frontrunner for this year’s DPOY Award.
Speaking of Brook Lopez and blocks, Lopez added six Tuesday night to his league leading total of 96. In addition to his six blocks, Lopez was also crazy efficient shooting the ball. Lopez finished 10-of-13 from the field for 21 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds, his second highest rebound total of the season.
Bobby Portis was similarly efficient, scoring 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and zero turnovers while adding two steals. Tuesday’s matchup with the Wizards became Bobby Portis’ fourth straight double double and 22nd of the season.
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Stay tuned as the Milwaukee Bucks play their second of a back to back against the Toronto Raptors Wednesday night.