The Nets deliver the best start to the game. Well in rhythm in the first quarter (13/23 on shots, 4/7 from 3-pointers), in particular thanks to a hyperactive Kevin Durant (7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists), Brooklyn puts the pressure on on Milwaukee, which is struggling to enter the match (9/23 on shots). But the awakening of the Bucks is not long in coming: in the second quarter, Mike Budenholzer’s men let go and plant 33 points, or 10 more than their total for the first quarter.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton compiled between them 32 points, when Kyrie Irving, silent during the first quarter, scored 9 units in the second quarter alone. At the break, the Nets have a narrow lead (60-56).
Back from the locker room, in the continuity of their successful second quarter, the Bucks find their cruising speed and continue to do damage in attack: 31 points at 10/22! The “Greek Freak”, who was 18 points at halftime, is seriously gaining momentum and is 33 points at 12/16 on shots (with 8 rebounds and 4 assists) after 36 minutes. In its tracks, the Bucks pass in front of the score (87-86).
The final quarter is a real trench warfare, the two teams raise their voices in defense. Unsurprisingly, the attacking pace drops sharply and possessions are longer. In the last minute, the Nets think they have done the hard part, and point to +3 (110-107). But the Barclays Center residents’ hopes of a victory in regulation time were swept away when Giannis Antetokounmpo, in the dying seconds, planted a huge 3-point shot to equalize, and send everyone into extra time.
An extension during which Brooklyn is, again, very close to victory. After a foul on an award-winning shot from Kevin Durant, and three free throws converted by the winger, the Nets are at +1 (119-118) about twenty seconds from the end. But, once again, the “Greek Freak” breaks the atmosphere: he obtains a foul after a muscular penetration towards the circle, and converts the two throws on the repair line (120-119). After a time-out, “KD” misses the winning shot, and the Bucks win after a closely contested game.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Giannis Antetokounmpo dépasse Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. By scoring the decisive 3-point shot to equalize a few seconds from the end of regulation time, the Greek entered the history of his franchise: he doubled “KAJ” and seized, alone, the first place in Milwaukee’s career scoring rankings. Almost nine years after his arrival in Wisconsin, the 15th choice of the 2013 Draft has therefore scored 14,216 points with the Bucks.
– The Nets in danger. Following this defeat, Brooklyn, 8th in the East, now has a record of 40 wins and 37 losses. Either the same record as Charlotte and Atlanta, respectively 9th and 10th in the conference. For now, the Nets retain the 8th position because they have the “tie-breaker” on their two pursuers. But the noose is tightening for Steve Nash’s troupe…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Monumental against Philadelphia on Tuesday, another major competitor in the Eastern Conference, the Greek did it again against the Nets. Author of 44 points (at 14/21), including the equalizer shot in the 4th quarter then the free throws of the win during overtime, but also 14 rebounds and 6 assists, he disgusted Brooklyn. In the MVP discussion, the “Greek Freak” has a very big case to make.
✅ Jrue Holiday. Sober, discreet and not “flashy”, but devilishly effective. This is how to sum up the evening of the leader of the Bucks, which compiles 19 points (6/18), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 (!) interceptions. The former UCLA is amazing foresight, he always makes the right pass in attack, the right rotation in defense. Never in his career has he appeared so in control on the pitch.
✅ Kevin Durant. A big first quarter, a slump until half-time, then a successful end to the match. This was the progress of the evening of “KD”, which was not very regular … but still approaching the triple-double (26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists). He was not far from giving victory to his team during extra time, but Giannis Antetokounmpo decided otherwise.
⛔️ Rebounds in Brooklyn. Despite Andre Drummond and Nic Claxton, two serious clients in the art of rebounding, the Nets were heavily dominated by the Bucks in this exercise: 65 to 47 (and while Brook Lopez grabbed only 3)! In a match lost by one point, there is reason to regret…
THE FOLLOWING
Brooklyn (40-37) : Saturday, trip to Atlanta
Milwaukee (48-28) : “back-to-back” at home, against the Clippers
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