bucks vs timberwolves
Giannis Antetokounmpo played a pivotal role for the Milwaukee Bucks. They made a strong comeback after the All-Star break, clinching a 112-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
With this win, Minnesota was tied with Oklahoma City for the top spot in the Western Conference with identical 39-17 records. Earlier in the evening, the Thunder dominated the Washington Wizards with a convincing 147-106 win.
In a thrilling late-game surge, Anthony Edwards showcased his prowess by sinking three crucial 3-pointers in the final 1:58, narrowing the gap for the Timberwolves. Despite trailing by 17 points late in the third quarter, Edwards’ efforts gave Minnesota hope. However, Damian Lillard secured the win for the Bucks with a decisive pull-up jumper from 21 feet out, extending their lead to five points with just 10.3 seconds remaining.
“Despite the misses, I remained focused because I trusted my shots would eventually go in,” said Lillard, reflecting on his performance. He contributed significantly with 21 points, 10 assists, and a season-high nine rebounds, overshadowing his 8-for-23 shooting night. His efforts helped the Milwaukee Bucks (36-21) secure the victory, although they have only managed a 4-7 record under new coach Doc Rivers.
Malik Beasley was instrumental in the third quarter, scoring all 14 of his points as the Milwaukee Bucks outscored the Timberwolves 36-13 during that period.
“We need to step up our game,” coach Chris Finch acknowledged. “While we showed hustle, our execution wasn’t up to par.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, with 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert, contributing 12 points and 19 rebounds, played crucial roles in helping the Timberwolves establish a 32-14 advantage in second-chance points. However, despite their efforts, the team struggled with a sloppy performance in the third quarter, which ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.
“We brought a great energy to the game,” commented Bucks center Brook Lopez on their team’s performance.
With both teams boasting two All-Stars each and the coaching staffs representing their respective conferences at the league’s midseason showcase last weekend, ESPN chose to broadcast this game nationally in the late-night window. The crowd, which included many Milwaukee Bucks fans, rose to the occasion, matching the significance of the matchup.
Malik Beasley, known for his streaky shooting from the corner, had a quiet first half, not attempting a single shot. Despite this, his performance picked up in the third quarter. Coach Rivers highlighted this issue by holding up the stat sheet in the locker room, emphasizing the importance of better ball movement. Beasley responded by sinking four 3-pointers during a 23-4 run over a 4:41 stretch, showcasing his skills and extending the Bucks’ lead to 87-70. After his fourth three-pointer, Beasley struck a pose with a backside wiggle, adding a touch of flair to the moment.
“That creates opportunities for us to excel in critical moments, where there’s not just a random expectation to make a shot,” remarked Lillard.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks, while maintaining a solid position in third place in the Eastern Conference, are still adjusting under Coach Rivers following the unexpected midseason coaching change. The absence of three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, who missed his sixth consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle, has further challenged the team’s efforts.
Despite being named the All-Star Game MVP and winning the 3-point shooting contest last weekend, Lillard has yet to fully synchronize with Giannis Antetokounmpo on his new team. He entered the game shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc, marking the second-lowest rate in his 12-year NBA career. In this particular game, he struggled, going just 2 for 8 from long range.
Lopez, who ended the game with 16 points, provided an early boost for the Milwaukee Bucks by sinking all four of his 3-pointers in the first quarter. This strong start set the tone for Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo found his rhythm driving to the basket in the second quarter. However, it was Beasley who stole the show in the third quarter with his impressive performance.
“Being able to rely on our defense in crucial moments is crucial, and our players are starting to understand and believe in that,” Rivers commented on the team’s defensive efforts.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves, playing the first of seven consecutive home games, struggled with post-break rust for the majority of the game.
“I think we may have come out a bit too relaxed in the second half,” Edwards remarked.