Stuck in a big slump and slipping in the standings, the Milwaukee Bucks desperately needed to start stringing together wins.
With the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal-less Phoenix Suns coming to town, it felt like this was a game the Bucks needed to have. Indeed, despite a 39-point night from Devin Booker and six 3-pointers by former Milwaukee Buck Grayson Allen, the Suns couldn't get it done. With a final score of 133-123, the Milwaukee Bucks secured their first win in quite some time.
In addition to Giannis Antetokounmpo's 37 points and 11 assists, one key factor that helped secure this win was an ongoing trend from guard Ryan Rollins.
Ryan Rollins is breaking out for the Bucks, and they need it
With Damian Lillard out indefinitely due to a blood clot, Doc Rivers has called on Ryan Rollins to fill the starting point guard position. Considering he has now set a new career-high in scoring three times in the past week, it's easy to say he's been doing a good job. Against Denver on March 26, he had 17. In a March 28 loss to the Knicks, he had his first 20-point game. He topped that against Phoenix.
Rollins was aggressive with the ball all night, starting the game off on the right foot with a 3-pointer. Whether he was taking triples, layups or whatever else, Rollins saw the ball go through the net more often than not against Phoenix, shooting 8-of-10, including 5-of-7 from deep. That efficient scoring helped him tally a new career-high 23 points, the second-highest total on the team.
With Damian Lillard, one of the best scorers in the business, currently out, the Milwaukee Bucks need points from whoever can provide them. Rollins has embraced the challenge lately, surpassing his old career-high three times in a week. This has been a massive boost, and the Bucks will need Rollins to continue producing at a high level as they aim to turn things around and make a deep run.
The scoring was absolutely the highlight, but Rollins also poured in five assists, five rebounds and two steals to form an all-around impactful performance. It's clear that the guard, who started the season on a two-way deal and was hardly in the rotation, is becoming more comfortable as a scorer, passer defender and just overall basketball player with each passing game in his new role.
The Milwaukee Bucks will continue to depend on him, so a few more career best performances would not hurt. In all seriousness, Rollins has been doing all this through a shoulder injury he suffered earlier in the season, displaying his sheer toughness and desire to compete. The Milwaukee Bucks needed a spark, and they're unquestionably getting it from Ryan Rollins.
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