The Milwaukee Bucks lost 128-124 in double overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers after allowing their opponents to mount a huge second-half comeback.
The late clutch offense for the Bucks was a big problem and ultimately what led to them losing. Having been up 32-16 after the first quarter and then 58-42 at the half, a horrid fourth quarter allowed the Lakers to rally and win the game by four in the second period of overtime.
Milwaukee had a 10-point lead with less than three and a half minutes to play, then just stopped the ball movement that was so effective in the first three quarters of the game.
The Lakers were without LeBron James but managed to make it a fourth consecutive win on the back of Anthony Davis' 34 point, 23 rebound game. Austin Reaves had a triple double with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, with D'Angelo Russell also scoring 29 points.
The Milwaukee Bucks late defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers stings
Milwaukee struggled from deep in this game, hitting just 15 of their 51 attempts from three (29.4 percent), and the Lakers weren't much better at 31.8 percent. The big disparity was in the free throw attempts. LA hit 30 of their 32 attempts from the free throw line, whereas the Bucks hit just 11 of 17, with Giannis Antetkounmpo hitting just one of his six and missed a couple of crucial ones late.
The Bucks were without Patrick Beverley, who has been a huge addition since the trade deadline, and it sounds as though his injury could be quite serious. Giannis, Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley all played over 40 minutes, with Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis all playing at least 30 minutes each.
For three quarters, it looked like the Bucks were making a statement victory but ended up with a devastating late collapse and defeat.
With the round-up out of the way, let's take a look at some studs and duds from the Bucks' double-overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.