Bucks Zone

"These the ones you gotta have" – Damian Lillard on pulling the Milwaukee Bucks away from the jaws of defeat

Dame just wouldn’t quit.

Jonas Panerio

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks were on the verge of another embarrassing loss on Sunday. The team led by eight late in the fourth quarter but suddenly trailed by six, 134-128, to the Sacramento Kings in overtime. However, Bucks guard Damian Lillard refused to give in and eventually willed the team to a thrilling 143-142 victory that he capped off with a thunderous buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Had to get the win

While the Bucks' season has been successful, the team has faced bouts of inconsistency, especially on the defensive end of the floor. That wart showed up on Sunday as the Bucks allowed the Kings to hang around and even assume control in the extra session. Fortunately, the Bucks had Dame, who did "Dame Things" to put his team on top.

"These the ones you gotta have," Lillard said, referring to the close victory, which he made possible by draining a 32-foot three-pointer right before the final buzzer.

"You get to March and April, and you look back, and these are the games you're like, 'Man, we let that one slip, we let this one slip.' So, this was a great one to have."

Becoming more consistent

After a rough stretch wherein they lost four of five games, young guard AJ Green said the Bucks are starting to get into a rhythm again. With victories over the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors before the win against Sacramento, Green shared that the team's toughness is becoming more evident during this stretch.

"We've been talking about consistency and effort and being all-in all the time, and I think this week we've done a good job of that," said Green.

"You can see the result when that happens. So, just grind it out and be tough in a back-to-back like this down the stretch, when you need stops and continue to do the little things, then stuff happens, and you hit a game-winner like that."

"That's what I'm here for" - Damian Lillard reacts to his game-winning triple vs. Kings

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO