Back-to-back wins for the Milwaukee Bucks have put them back in a good place ahead of the final few games of the regular season.
A 126-113 win over the Philadelphia 76ers occurred thanks to a historic performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who became the first player to have a stat line of 35 points, 20 assists and over 15 rebounds in an NBA game.
With Damian Lillard out injured, Giannis put the team on his back, but the returning AJ Green also had an impact to help the team get over the line.
AJ Green played well on both ends and needs to continue doing so
Green has struggled since the All-Star break with a mixed bag of performances. Thursday night's win showed the best of him on both sides of the floor, hitting four threes off the bench and playing tough defense on Quentin Grimes late in the game.
The former two-way wing held opponents to 2-for-6 shooting (33.3 percent) when guarded by him; that needs to continue down the stretch and into the playoffs. Whether Lillard plays or not, players like Green need to step up defensively and provide much-needed wing defense, as well as hit their shots on offense.
Green was one of seven Bucks to score double-digit points. As a team, the Bucks do have players who can add to the score, especially with Bobby Portis returning soon to help bolster the bench unit. Giannis will do what Giannis does, but it is now down to the supporting cast to help ease the weight slightly and have a chance of getting out of the first round.
Individually, Green has had a pretty solid season, averaging 7.4 points on shooting splits of .427/.420/.833. His defense was where he needed to improve, and he has certainly shown glimpses of it improving; his energy and athleticism have been crucial. In the playoffs, he may see his minutes drop due to that defense, but offensively, he really can offer the team something.
These two latest wins have come at the right time following a poor run of games. With six games left, Milwaukee takes on the Miami Heat and depleted New Orleans Pelicans next. The real tests are a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and a doubleheader with the Detroit Pistons to end the regular season, which will likely decide which seeds the two teams finish.
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