Despite facing a Brooklyn Nets team that played more like a preseason game, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Khris Middleton contributed 27 points and 10 assists, helping the Bucks secure a 144-122 win on Wednesday night.
In a game where Antetokounmpo was gearing up to defend well-known Brooklyn Nets players, the Bucks adapted to unexpected opponents.
The Nets had chosen to rest three starters and limit the playtime of two others following a victory at Detroit. This strategy meant the Bucks had to quickly familiarize themselves with a lineup that included several rookies and two-way contract players.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Antetokounmpo acknowledged the challenge, stating the Nets’ players, unfamiliar to him at first, played hard and made the game tough.
“They competed hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t know most of them but definitely I’ll learn them after today because they made it extremely, extremely tough for us.”
The game remained competitive for three quarters until the Bucks pulled ahead decisively. Milwaukee’s coach Adrian Griffin praised Nets coach Jacque Vaughn for his efforts despite Brooklyn being short-handed. Vaughn, for his part, vehemently rejected the notion that the game was treated lightly, emphasizing the seriousness and risk involved in professional basketball.
“I have too much respect for the dudes that suit up and put their body on the line and the competition level to even mention the word exhibition,” Vaughn said. “Any guy could have ended their career tonight by one play and so I treat it as such. It is an honor, it is, I don’t know, a sense of gratitude that you do this for a living and you never, ever underestimate that. If you do, you’ll pay for it.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Cameron Payne and Malik Beasley were standout performers for the Bucks, each landing five 3-pointers. The team, now 10-2 in December, bounced back from a Christmas defeat against the Knicks, ending their three-game holiday stint in New York on a high note.
For the Nets, rookie Jalen Wilson scored 21 points with 10 rebounds. Other notable contributions came from Trendon Watford, Dennis Smith Jr., and rookie Noah Clowney.
Brooklyn’s decision to rest key players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton, and Cam Johnson, along with Dorian Finney-Smith, was attributed to a demanding schedule by Vaughn. He cited concerns about player safety and the need for rest amidst a packed calendar. Despite the Nets’ efforts, the Bucks pulled away in the final quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 44-30.
“They knew they were kind of undermanned but I think Jacque’s doing a phenomenal job there,” Griffin said. “But we took care of business and again, games like this, you’ve just got to find a way to win and get ready for Cleveland.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Looking ahead, the Bucks are set to visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Nets will play against the Washington Wizards, both games scheduled for Friday.
