The arrival of Doc Rivers on the Milwaukee Bucks bench at the end of January did not transform the Milwaukee Bucks. Under the orders of the 2008 NBA champion coach, who became the 8th most successful coach in the NBA on Saturday thanks to a success against the Charlotte Hornets (120-84), Giannis Antetokounmpo’s teammates suffered, against the Miami Heat, a sixth defeat (97-123), for three successes.
The 2021 champions, at home, were led throughout the match by the Floridians, despite 23 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists – but no free throws attempted – from the Greek star. The last time Antetokounmpo was not on the line at all, he only played six minutes before going out with a knee injury in February 2023 (128-99 against the Heat, already). Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley scored 16 points each, while Khris Middleton missed a fourth straight game.
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Among the players in the Bucks’ starting five, only Damian Lillard shot free throws against the Heat. He scored all four of his attempts. His team finished 10/11 in the exercise.
Opposite, while Jimmy Butler missed the trip to Wisconsin for personal reasons, Miami was able to rely on Nikola Jovic, author of his career record (24 points, 8/13 on shots). The Serb was perfectly supported by guards Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro (23 and 19 points), as well as an efficient Kevin Love coming off the bench (19 points on 6/8 shooting, 8 rebounds). Bam Adebayo signed the eighth triple-double of his career (16 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists).
Tatum rejoint Bird
The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA and, in the East, their margin is comfortable over the Cleveland Cavaliers, second (42 wins, 12 losses; 35, 17). Jayson Tatum and his team were diligent throughout the match in Brooklyn to record a fifth success in a row (118-110).
The winger, who will participate in his 5th All-Star Game this weekend, was already at 31 points at the break, his career best. And did not need to force his talent during the second act to become only the second player in Celtics history to finish 25 games with 40 points or more (41 against the Nets, 14 rebounds and 5 passes).
“I need everyone, we all need each other”
“We’re a very good team and every possession we have two or three solutions, it’s not always me,” praised Tatum after the game. Just understanding that and knowing that I need my teammates. I need everyone, we all need each other. » Illustration with a score perfectly distributed between the other players in the starting five: 16 points for Derrick White, 14 (and 12 assists) for Jrue Holiday, 19 for Jaylen Brown and 16 for Al Horford. The absence of Kristaps Porzingis, therefore, was not felt.