The energy in the building was undeniably on another level in the Milwaukee Bucks' recent matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This was for two key reasons, which go hand in hand. The return of Bobby Portis, who didn't show too much rust after serving a 25-game suspension, energized the Fiserv Forum crowd, who were as lively as they have been all season long. As the Milwaukee Bucks chipped away at a 24-point fourth quarter deficit, the crowd got more into the game, and the players clearly fed into that.
The end result was a thrill-ride off an ending as the Milwaukee Bucks secured a 110-103 victory on their home floor. After the contest, the energetic crowd was a hot topic of discussion in interviews, and Doc Rivers applauded the effort from the fans, who made this game, which was crucial as the Bucks continue fighting for positioning, feel like it was a playoff atmosphere.
Doc Rivers highlights Fiserv Forum crowd from Bucks' latest win
"The crowd, by the way, was phenomenal. They were fired up because Bobby was here. They haven't seen him in a while...
It was huge. They could have left, the way the game was going. They hung in there with us, and then they could smell the blood in the water as well. This is why you love being at home... They, in some ways, gave us a ton of energy we didn't have. This is what you love home games."
Two key moments where the crowd stood out against Minnesota both came courtesy of 3-pointers by sharpshooter AJ Green. He hit a running triple in transition with just under seven minutes that cut Milwaukee's deficit to single digits before burying another 3-pointer later to tie it. The crowd popped off after both makes, and the players certainly picked up on that.
Two of the final three regular season games are on their home floor, and this type of boost could go a long way as the NBA Playoffs near, especially with one of those games coming vs. the Detroit Pistons, a team looking to leap the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings. If the Bucks can close these final few games strong, it could give them some needed momentum when the lights get the brightest.
Bobby Portis's return was always going to give the Milwaukee Bucks a boost, especially as they await the return of fellow big man Jericho Sims, but that, paired with the crowd's intensity when he steps on the court, could be a recipe for a nightly spark. Of course, it helps when he shows little signs of being off his game and pours in 18 points and 10 rebounds after such a long layoff.
With Bobby Portis back in the lineup, the Milwaukee Bucks will now wait for updates on Jericho Sims and Damian Lillard. Sims is expected to be ready for the postseason, while the timeline on Lillard is far murkier. If this team can get somewhat healthy in time for the postseason, they could certainly be a dark horse to make some noise.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.