The Milwaukee Bucks ran off an impressive 20-0 run late in the fourth quarter at home against the Brooklyn Nets but ultimately fell short by three points.
The Bucks had one chance to take the lead late and one legitimate opportunity to tie the game but both shots missed. Let's discuss some studs and duds from the loss.
Stud: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 27 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. Giannis did almost everything right on the court. He shot 12-of-24 on field goals, was all over the court defensively, and executed a well-drawn-up play by Doc Rivers to get Damian Lillard a quality look at a game-tying 3-pointer on the Bucks' last possession.
However, Giannis was not flawless. With the Bucks down 111-110, Giannis had a look at a layup that was contested but is a shot that he's made 1,000 times in his career and couldn't finish it to get the Bucks a 22-0 run that would have given them the lead with less than ten seconds left. Also, Giannis made three of his ten free throws in this game. If he had shot even 60 percent, things could have ended differently.
Dud: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard did score 23 points, thanks to making four 3-point shots and shooting 7-of-8 at the free-throw line. Dame also tied Giannis for the team lead with seven assists.
Those are not however redeeming enough qualities to overlook Lillard shooting 6-of-20 from the field and 4-of-13 from the 3-point line (one of those threes was a prayer catch-and-shoot heave as time expired). Lillard had an opportunity to do what he's known for, making a late clutch shot with a 3-pointer with the Bucks down by three and a few seconds on the clock but Dame didn't have his best 3-point shot going and missed the last quality look the Bucks had to tie the game.
Studs: Khris Middleton's 2-point shooting
In a game the Bucks lost, it doesn't feel that there are a lot of studly performances, however, Khris Middleton had the mid-range jumper working in full effect. Khris was knocking down some mid-range shots when the Bucks were desperate for any offense they could find in the second quarter, where Khris scored eight of his 12 points.
Khris Middleton also showed great signs of healing when he raised up for a two handed flush in the first quarter off of a nice pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Overall on the night, Khris was 6-for-8 on 2-point attempts, unfortunately not as efficient from the 3-point line where he was 0-for-3. Khris finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal in 24 minutes.
Duds: Andre Jackson Jr.
This appearance as a dud for Andre Jackson Jr. stems exclusively from the thought process that led to his ejection. Jackson has to be smarter than letting a hand fly to the face of an opposing player, even if he was kind of goaded into it.
Right before halftime, Andre Jackson Jr. and Nic Claxton were bumping and jawing up the court, and as Claxton went to set a screen on Jackson, he let a hand fly that hit Claxton in the face. The play was reviewed and Jackson was assessed a flagrant two foul, which meant he was ejected before the halfway point.
Andre Jackson Jr. is a starter for the Milwaukee Bucks and is regarded as one of the best blossoming young defenders in the NBA. He is too important to the team to be making foolish mistakes on the court like this, especially on a night when the Bucks are playing without another wing in AJ Green.
The Milwaukee Bucks did get 15 points and eight rebounds from Bobby Portis who had a much-needed 3-for-4 shooting night from the 3-point line. Also, Gary Trent Jr. shot poorly overall but made some big 3-pointers when the Bucks were making a run late in the 3rd quarter.
Pat Connaughton and Marjon Beauchamp got some run in the fourth quarter as head coach Doc Rivers was looking for some shake-up on the floor to help the Bucks break their funk. Connaughton got a dunk during the Bucks' massive run late and added one assist, one steal, and one block to his four rebounds and finished +14. MarJon Beauchamp registered just three rebounds in his seven minutes of play but finished the game +18 as his minutes came while the Bucks were attempting their comeback.
Brook Lopez was a factor in the first few possessions after the Bucks started cold from the 3-point line but his seven points were all scored in the first half and in the second half the Bucks played a lot of small ball with Lopez on the bench.
Taurean Prince and Ryan Rollins both shot 50 percent from the field but ultimately weren't big factors for the Bucks.
The Bucks will have a chance to right the ship on Saturday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Hopefully, they don't have a third straight game where they dig themselves a deep hole to climb out of.