Bucks Zone

Adrian Griffin commends Bucks for "a great character win" vs. Mavericks

Griffin was happy with Milwaukee's "total team win" against Dallas.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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They were without three key players and were in their second game in two nights. Undermanned, fatigued, and all, the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t give up and went on to beat the Dallas Mavericks, 132-125, on Saturday night.

Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin couldn’t be happier with the way his wards performed as the Bucks extended their winning streak to four, their longest in the season so far.

Total team effort propels Milwaukee

Griffin said the Bucks showed a lot of character in beating a tough Dallas squad after coming back from 11 points down in the final period to snatch their fifth straight game at home, where they are now 5-1.

“It was a great character win,” Griffin said. “Back-to-back, short-handed … but everyone stepped up and it was a total team win.”

Milwaukee played without Khris Middleton (right knee injury management), MarJon Beauchamp (right ankle sprain), Jae Crowder (left adductor surgery), and Chris Livingston (left ankle).

The ill effects of manpower woes showed early as the Mavericks threatened to break the game wide open when they surged to a 104-93 lead at the 10:50 mark of the final quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, rose to the occasion as he unloaded 15 points in the fourth to power the Bucks to the huge comeback win.

Chemistry improving

Giannis’ explosion in the fourth was part of a 40-point performance, marking the sixth time this season that he scored 30 or more.

The Greek Freak also added 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block.

The two-time MVP said his strong performance indicates that he is becoming more comfortable playing with his new All-Star teammate, Damian Lillard.

“Every game that goes by, I’m going to be more comfortable (playing with Lillard). As we move forward, we’re going to keep learning how to play with one another. It’s getting better. It’s a work in progress,” Antetokounmpo said.

Lillard added 27 points and 12 assists. It was his second double-double in three games as he tallied 37 points and a season-high 13 assists in Milwaukee’s 128-112 win over the Toronto Raptors last Wednesday night.

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Pat Connaughton, Bobby Portis Jr., Cameron Payne, and Brook Lopez also scored in double-figures in the win, helping the Bucks offset the stellar games of Dallas’ dynamic duo, Kyrie Irving (39 points) and Luka Doncic (34), who combined for 73 points in the loss.

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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.