Antetokounmpo … sizzles, Milwaukee steps on the gas, smashes Oklahoma to 9-0

The ninth game of the season, 19 hours after the away game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, was challenging but not particularly difficult. Giannis Antetokounmpo was first ruled out in the 2022-23 season but the Bucks, who also lacked Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Joe Ingles, don’t understand anything. They also defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (108-94) to continue their impressive run in the regular season (9-0) and attempt to post the league’s best record that will give them absolute home field advantage in the playoffs.

Bobby Portis did things and did wonders on rebounds, Brook Lopez hit in spurts from every position on the floor, Jevon Carter took a lot of the load off Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, who lost his place in the starting XI, was amazing at the piece execution and Milwaukee achieved seven home wins in as many games at the Fiserv Forum. Three away games against the Hawks, Thunder and Spurs follow before the Bucks play six home games with a game in Philadelphia in between.

For their part, The Thunder were without Alexei Pokushevsky (shoulder problem) and showed nothing…wow. They’re a better team than what they showed in Milwaukee, falling to 4-5 (3-2 home and 1-3 a) and barring some flashes from Cy Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddy, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl , they won’t think anything of this game. Four season highs were achieved in the game for the Bucks. Of course, Carter, Allen and Lopez’s points and Portis’ rebounds are also the best performances of his pro career.

38-36 bat points, 10-14 surprise points, 41-37 spare points, 10-20 opponent foul points, 14-9 second chance points (offensive rebounding).

The race

With Lopez hitting 3 of 3 3-pointers in the first set, the Bucks had good offensive pace but saw their starting center catch two quick fouls and Guidi took the game 14-14 just five minutes into the game equaled. Portis took over the baton to take the outside shots, but the Thunder had “smelt blood” and not only took the lead (20-27 in 8′) but also handled beautiful basketball, with partnerships with Robinson-Earl to score in batches . The entry of Grayson Allen (he made two threes to make it 30-32) gave Milwaukee a breather, and the 34-34 period was befitting of the image of both teams.

Nuora and Lopez did what they wanted against the Thunder’s defense early in the second third, the Bucks maintained the lead but couldn’t pull away from their opponents by much. At 67-53 at halftime, Allen had 16 points (4/5 threes), Portis had 13 rebounds at 14:37, the hosts had 36 points from their substitutes and ten from second chances against Oklahoma that he had easily in the second twelve minutes not enough talent.

The Bucks went into the second half with a 3-pointer from Carter for a 73-53 lead, and their task became really easy from there. There were times when the home side really went on the offensive and, thanks to the consistency and habits they had built, scored without much resistance, with Allen taking the baton from Carter for 93-73 and giving his opponents no breath. Until that happened late in the third and early in the fourth when Gilgeous-Alexander, Guidi and Baisley cut to 10 (95-85 at 38′).

At a point where seriousness was needed, Beauchamp hit with a follow and Lopez hooked in the 40th minute for a 101-87 that couldn’t be reversed. The Thunder called a timeout, Lopez scored five more points to make it 106-87 and… good night.

THE DODECALPTA: 34-34, 67-53, 93-78, 108-94

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (Mike Budenholzer): Beauchamp 2 (1/8 shots, 5 rebounds, 6 fouls in 24:48), Portis 12 (3/10 2-pointers, 2/6 3-pointers, 21 rebounds, 2 assists in 29:16 ). ), Lopez 25 (6/7 2-pointers, 4/9 3-pointers, 1/1 shot, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block in 23:42), Carter 18 (5/9 3-pointers ), Holiday 10 (6 rebounds, 13 assists), Ibaka 8 (2/3 2-pointers, 4/4 shots, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks), Allen 19 (5/6 3-pointers), Nuwara 12 (1), Matthews, Hill 2, Thanasis Antetokounmpo

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (Marc Daigneault): There 3 (4 rebounds, 7 assists), Robinson-Earl 12 (2), Mascala 9 (1/6 3-pointers, 5 rebounds), Guidi 15 (2 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 2 assists). ). , 4 turnovers), Gilgeous-Alexander 18 (7/15 2-points, 4/5 shots), Jaylen Williams 5 (1), Dieng 8 (2 3-points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Beasley 8 (2 3 -Pointers, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Man 3, Kenrich Williams 3, Omorougi, Joe 8 (2), Wiggins, Jaylin Williams 2

Milwaukee Bucks team stats: 21/43 2-pointers, 17/47 3-pointers, 15/17 shots, 61 rebounds, 23 assists, 7 steals, 6 blocks, 18 turnovers, 16 fouls

Oklahoma City Thunder team stats: 24/49 2-pointers, 12/35 3-pointers, 10/16 shots, 47 rebounds, 22 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks, 15 turnovers, 18 fouls