The Milwaukee Bucks clearly prevailed in the top game of the Eastern Conference with the Brooklyn Nets. The star duo of the Bucks received valuable support, while the home side Kevin Durant was largely on his own. Right from the start, the guests were a class better at 121: 109.
Brooklyn Nets (24-13) – Milwaukee Bucks (26-15) 109:121 (BOXSCORE)
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 31 points (11/17 FG), 9 assists and 7 rebounds, but also Bobby Portis (25, 9/16 FG, 12 rebounds) and in phases Khris Middleton (20, 6/15 FG) were in a good mood. With Jordan Nwora (13), Wesley Matthews (12) and banker Rodney Hood (10), three other actors got double-digit points.
The Nets couldn’t build on that, alongside Durant (29, 10/19 FG, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) James Harden was already the best scorer (16, 6/15 FG, 9 rebounds, 5 turnover). However, he only hit 2 of his 10 throws in the first half and remained pale for long periods. KD, on the other hand, slipped past Patrick Ewing (24.815) to 23rd place in the all-time scoring list, with Jerry West (25.192) next. Otherwise, Nic Claxton (14 and 6) was most likely to show a decent performance. The Bucks hit a mixed 35.6 percent from a distance (16/45), but this yield was far better than that of the Nets (23.1 percent, 6/27).
Although the Nets sorely missed Kyrie Irving after his debut in a strange hall, Durant doesn’t believe in putting pressure on him: “I told him how important he is and how much I want him to play all the games. But I do don’t force anyone to get vaccinated to play basketball. ” He didn’t even ask him why. “This is not my task.”
The last sick Antetokounmpo got fit in time after a one-game break. Nwora started for Jruel Holiday, which is in the Covid protocol (there are also George Hill, Pat Connaughton and Graysen Allen). The starting five was supplemented by Matthews, Milddeton and Portis Jr. In the home team, Harden and Durant were supported by Patty Mills, David Duke Jr. and Claxton.
Bucks too strong – no help to Durant and Harden
Durant and Giannis exchanged points directly, while Harden missed his first three attempts. From a distance there was little going on either side (Mills 1/4), Matthews defended strongly against KD. Porter scored ten points in a row for the Bucks, giving them a double-digit lead, A short time later, however, completely released a dunking attempt on the ring. Giannis placed +8 shortly before the end of the quarter.
The Nets came out of the quarter break well and improved offensively, but simply couldn’t get Portis under control, which forced Steve Nash to take another time-out with points 17 and 18. Giannis picked up his third foul and had to go to the bench, but no net except Durant could find a rhythm. With the guests, the offense went well enough even without the Greek Freak, thanks to Hood or Nwora, to even extend the lead and take an 11-point lead into the half-time break.
After a three from Middleton, the Bucks had achieved the highest lead of the evening, on the other hand Harden had an airball followed by a successful three. Giannis countered with a three-point game, Durant conceded his fourth foul. A three-point plus foul by Middleton as well as a goal from the distance of the Greek even brought the Nets behind with 19 points. Middleton was unstoppable and had contributed 15 points after six minutes in the quarter. After that, the action calmed down, which was not a good thing for the Nets. 98:80 after three quarters.
The first 6 points of the final section went to the Nets, Nwora provided the direct answer that was so important for the Bucks with a difficult three. Claxton scored well in this phase, however, had no response to Giannis defensively. Three of Hood and Portis put it back to +20, each wonderfully cleared by Antetokounmpo. Nash had seen enough and was dispatching his reservists to the field more than six minutes before the end. With another three, Giannis made his next 30-point game perfect.
.
