Basketball – The Bucks come out of the woods

Milwaukee, carried by Antetokounmpo and Middleton, authors of 79% of the team’s points, a record for a duo in the NBA play-off, closed the gap against Brooklyn (86-83), while Utah made the break against the Clippers (117-111) in the other semi-final played Thursday.

Milwaukee had to win, after two clear defeats, or risk the sweep. In front of their audience, the Bucks succeeded, but how hard it was! However, they started very aggressively, inflicting a 30-11 on the Nets in the first quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, criticized for their lack of harshness, responded appropriately, scoring 15 units each.

Their predominance in attack was verified throughout, although their address declined slightly thereafter. The former finished with 33 points (14/31, 14 assists), but he could have done better without the ugly 1/8 behind the arc and 4/9 on free throws. In full doubt on this line, he even exceeded the prescribed 13 seconds to shoot one and the referees sanctioned him.

When in the second, he finished with 35 points (15 rebounds) and was the one who took matters into his own hands in the last two minutes, scoring three times when no one could do it. Before ensuring the result on free throws after a crucial basket from Jrue Holiday (9 pts).

“We were both ready. We were able to compete. I hope we can do it again in the fourth game, ”responded Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Opposite, Kevin Durant had the three-point equalizer, but a green tide hit him to hamper him and it worked. Not always adroit (11/28) but unfazed, the winger was still solid with 30 points (11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 interceptions).

Author of 45 points in the first game, Donovan Mitchell this time scored “only” 37. He first paved the way for Utah’s success for three quarters, then made the necessary baskets and free throws. in the dying seconds.

Because the Jazz took it three times to distance LA, leading 21 lengths at the start of the 3rd quarter (76-55), then ten (93-83) after the Californians had returned to -4. In the fourth quarter, Jordan Clarkson (24 pts), Bogdan Bogdanovic (16 pts) and Joe Ingles (19 pts) then released the banderillas behind the arc (113-103), but the Clippers got closer again, before that Mitchell does not push them away for good.

This winning accordion game, based on 20 baskets (out of 39 attempted) at long distance, Utah also owes it to Rudy Gobert, who largely justified his 3rd title of best defender in the league (13 pts, 20 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 interceptions).

“We remained united, we played hard until the end of the 48 minutes,” commented the Frenchman, not without joking, stressing that he is the only one of his team not to shoot at three points. “These shots, I keep them for later,” he warned, laughing.