Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks faltered for the second-straight game with a one-point loss to the LA Lakers

The Bucks failed to capitalize on the absence of LeBron James.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Milwaukee Bucks dropped a second-straight game, losing to a Los Angeles Lakers team that didn’t have LeBron James, 122-123, on Friday night.

The sorry one-point loss came after the Bucks suffered a lopsided 90-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. They had a golden opportunity to bounce back from the blowout defeat when they took a 122-118 lead with only 48.6 seconds left.

However, they couldn’t stop D’Angelo Russell, who took over in a crucial 5-0 windup for the Lakers. Russell converted a three-point play, and after Damian Lillard missed a layup, he scored on a floater that gave the Lakers a one-point lead with 5.9 ticks left.

Back to third place

Lillard couldn’t save the Bucks as Spencer Dinwiddie blocked his jumper as time expired. Milwaukee fell to 0-2 in its four-game California trip. It has lost its last two games since racking up six straight wins after the All-Star break.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers winning over the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier, the Bucks dropped to third place in the Eastern Conference with a 41-23 record. The Cavaliers are 41-22.

Giannis’ big numbers were not enough

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists for his eighth triple-double this season. Lillard added 28 points and 12 assists, while Pat Connaughton chipped in 17 markers. Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis Jr. each had 14 points.

Milwaukee will next play the LA Clippers on Sunday before capping its California sojourn with a duel against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

Russell led the Lakers with a season-high 44 points, 21 of which came in the final quarter. Anthony Davis pitched in 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Austin Reaves had 18 as the Lakers improved to 35-10. 

"It was a tough spot to be in" – Brook Lopez on having to constantly defend against the Golden State Warriors transition

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.