Following a two-game skid, the Milwaukee Bucks got themselves back on track with a convincing 24-point win over the Toronto Raptors. Damian Lillard led the team in scoring with 25, with Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. and Brook Lopez all putting up just over 15 points.
Noticeably, it was a quiet scoring night for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as he ended with just 11 points, hitting 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) from the field and making one of two free throws. Despite his lesser impact in the points column, he flexed his muscles by showing off one of his more underappreciated and underrated attributes in the 128-104 victory.
The result was a flashy triple-double despite the Greek Freak getting his hand caught in the rim on a block attempt and needing stiches.
Giannis puts up 13 assists as he shows off his playmaking skills
With 11 points, 12 rebounds and a season-high 13 assists, Giannis finished with an impressive line in 29 minutes on the court.
The injury played a part in the scoring, and his rebounding was brilliant as usual, but for him to come out in the second half with his finger taped up and still register 13 assists is a testament to his mentality and willingness to fight through pain for the success he wants to deliver. In the third, the game had to be stopped due to it bleeding so much and needing to be taped up yet again for the third time.
Giannis' game just creates opportunities for everyone. His physicality is his best asset and where he gets so many baskets. Adding the mid-range is another level to his game offensively, but he attracts so much attention that it opens up the game for his teammates. Milwaukee hit 22 of 44 attempts from deep and made 11 of 18 of them in the tail end of the first half.
Toronto did what so many teams try to do by applying pressure on Giannis and sending help due to his ability to overpower his defender. This leads to so many good looks for the team, with Lillard hitting 5-of-8 (62.5 percent), Portis making 4-of-6 (66.7 percent), Lopez hitting 4-of-8 (50 percent) and Trent making 3-of-5 (60 percent) attempts.
When this is the case, it just causes disruption for defenders. Do they allow Giannis to go one-on-one and guard the threes, or do they hope the Bucks hit a cold streak? They are second in the league in 3-point percentage, so teams are really stuck between what to take their chance with.
Ten of those assists came in the first half with the Raptors gameplan clear and then Giannis sat out the whole of the fourth with the Milwaukee Bucks comfortably in the lead.
It is an element of Giannis Antetokounmpo's game that is heavily underrated. Nikola Jokic is the constant frontrunner for MVP, and the conversation around him always leads to his passing and playmaking ability; Giannis is right there with him.
Whether the two-time MVP plays on Wednesday against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs is yet to be seen, but if he does, then we may be in for fireworks similar to their first meeting all the way back at the beginning of 2024.
Let's hope the Bucks have started another win streak as they navigate the early stages of 2025.
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