Disappointed with their collective performance in the last quarter the day before against Houston, the Bucks circulated the ball very well at the start of the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo works hard to find his teammates and deliver good shots. It works, especially against a Dallas team struggling in the first minutes. By losing balls, Milwaukee revives the Mavericks, in particular Klay Thompson who can hit twice in a row at 3-pts in a 10-0 (31-27).
The second quarter is much less fluid, with a lot of fouls and free throws. The Texans manage to resist Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first points to keep control at the break (57-53). This trend accentuated in the third quarter, with Doc Rivers’ troops struggling offensively. There are up to 11 points difference for Dallas before the last twelve minutes (88-77).
Milwaukee signs an 8-0 to revive in the last quarter and it is Kyle Kuzma who provides the points, then Bobby Portis, twice, at 3-pts.
Everything has to be done again for Cooper Flagg and his teammates. Even more so when Giannis scores behind the arc or imposes his power near the circle. The Bucks take the lead in money time but the former Duke puts on the boss’s costume and twice, he gives Dallas the advantage, the last of which against Giannis!
Ryan Rollins responds immediately, before the following throw-in is missed by the Texans, who find themselves down three points. They have one last chance, thanks to a foul by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who gives three free throws to PJ Washington. The latter misses the second, which condemns the Mavericks (114-116)…
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Giannis Antetokounmpo well supported by Kyle Kuzma. The Greek gained strength over the minutes and if they were rather good at limiting him, Daniel Gafford and Moussa Cisse will sleep well after this match. They had a hell of a fight inside with the MVP of the 2021 Finals. But the Greek still had his game with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks. He was very well supported by his teammates, notably Kyle Kuzma, with his 26 points at 10/17 shooting. He was the one who kept the Bucks going at the start of the fourth quarter.
– Cooper Flagg signs his benchmark match. With 26 points at 9/15 shooting, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, the 1st choice of the 2025 Draft has had his most prolific match since the start of the year. And with his important baskets in the final moments, it was perhaps his strongest performance, the one where he showed the most character. For the rookie, he only missed the victory to make it his first big moment of the season.
– The errors in the final seconds of Dallas. Cooper Flagg had therefore done what was necessary to give his team a chance of winning, but two errors then ruined everything. The first is this missed throw-in, which offers a dunk to Kyle Kuzma and increases the gap to 3-pts. The second is obviously PJ Washington’s second missed free throw, which forces him to miss the third to attempt an offensive rebound, which ultimately does not come. Jason Kidd and his players may have regrets.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
