Bucks Zone

What we learned from the Milwaukee Bucks' 35-point defeat to the Sacramento Kings

The Bucks' offense has become a headache.

Jonas Panerio

© Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
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The west coast was not kind to the Milwaukee Bucks as they suffered another blowout, this time at the hands of the Sacramento Kings, 129-94, on Tuesday at the Golden 1 Center. Here are two takeaways from the humiliating loss.

Dismal first half

The Bucks’ defense has received a lot of praise lately, as it has fueled their post-All-Star break turnaround. However, it appears that the team’s old habits have resurfaced, as the Kings struck early and hard to take the fight out of their opponents. Sacramento shot in eight triples in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for a first half where they made 68 percent of their shots, including 72 percent from long range.

In contrast, outside Giannis Antetokounmpo, nobody else could buy a bucket for the Bucks. Damian Lillard went 1-for-7, while Brook Lopez made one of his four attempts, as Milwaukee trailed by 19, 75-56, at halftime. The deficit could have been much worse if it had not been for Giannis’ 22 points.

Trouble finding the basket

The “Greek Freak” tried his best to put the Bucks on his back but simply didn’t have enough support. None of his teammates reached double-figures in scoring until late in the third quarter when Bobby Portis scored on a short jumper. By then, the Kings were well in front and would bring a 95-78 lead to the fourth.

Portis finished with 11 points, while Lillard had just ten on 2-of-12 shooting. Malik Beasley had 11, making only three of his 11 shots from long distance. Lopez didn’t even reach twin digits, finishing with seven.

Giannis led Milwaukee with 30 points and 13 rebounds.

A report asks a crucial question with the NBA Playoffs on the horizon: When will the Giannis-Dame two-man game flourish consistently?

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO