Takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ MLK Day win over Indiana Pacers
Takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks’ win over Pacers: Role players rebounding
When I say role players rebounding, I mean it both literally and figuratively. In the absence, and hopefully very near return, of both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, some of the Milwaukee Bucks role players are hitting their strides and looking in mid-season form.
Starting with the literal, Pat Connaughton started this game against the Pacers and while he was the only starter not in double figures, his impact on this game should not be understated. Connaughton did score eight points but he also grabbed eight rebounds for the second game in a row. He has also made 40 percent of his 3-pointers over the last two games.
Grayson Allen, after going through a bit of a slump in late December and early January, played a fantastic game on Monday. Allen scored 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting including 3-of-7 behind the 3-point line. Allen hit not one, but two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to give the Milwaukee Bucks a one-point lead. Allen also grabbed five rebounds, dished four assists and collected two steals. His ability to drive to the basket and score or kick out to teammates is a very underrated aspect of his game. Late in this game, Allen drove and kicked out to George Hill who missed a 3-pointer, but Allen flew in and tipped the miss back to Hill who made a floater.
George Hill is another role player worth highlighting, Hill hadn’t played since January 6th against the Hornets and came in and gave the Bucks 22 minutes off the bench. Hill scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and added six assists and three steals without committing a single turnover. It is a luxury for the Bucks to have a guy like that at the end of the bench when you need him.
The same could be said for Jordan Nwora, who has seen much less playing time as of late but always stays ready to shoot, and that he did. Nwora made all four 3-pointers he attempted on his way to 14 points off the bench in addition to six rebounds and a pair of assists.
I also want to give a shoutout to A.J. Green. The Milwaukee Bucks’ two-way guard has carved out a nice little role for himself as a spark plug off the bench to give the Bucks some shooting. Green made two 3-point shots in this game and has now hit a three in six consecutive games. In that stretch of six games, Green is 15-for-34 (44.1 percent) behind the 3-point line.